How to Enroll In the Right Barbering Training Near Skokie Illinois
Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Skokie IL, the task begins to search for and enroll in the right school. It's important that the school you select not only provides the appropriate instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a bit more regarding that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Skokie home. Tuition will also be an important aspect when assessing prospective barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it's not automatically the right option. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later within this article. Before we do, let's talk a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Hairstyles are increasingly being considered by people to be a projection of their personalities. As a result, barbers are still very much in demand. However, most people are looking for trained professionals and will not just drop in on any local barber shop displaying a red, white and blue pole. Training to become a barber is a career move that offers many benefits for those that are both artistic and sociable. The artistic side is indulged by creating a plethora of different and sometimes challenging hairstyles. The social aspect obviously comes into play by keeping the customer engaged while creating your masterpiece. In fact, some barbers are so proud of their artistic accomplishments that they will take photos of their finished hairstyles and post them on their websites as a portfolio to attract new clients. And barbering lends itself to a more intimate form of customer service by providing time with the client while cutting his (or her) hair. This time spent together can lead to the development of a rapport or even a new friendship. As a result, many customers come back not only because they are pleased with the service, but also to enjoy the social amenities that their neighborhood barbershop can offer.
What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Skokie IL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Skokie IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Skokie IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Skokie IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Skokie IL barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So look for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Skokie IL area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Skokie IL.
How to Become a Barber in Skokie
Choose in the Best Skokie Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is important to obtain the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Make sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A sensible start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to launch your career as a professional barber in Skokie Illinois.