How to Pick the Best Barber College Near Woodridge Illinois

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in a barber school near Woodridge IL, the process begins to locate and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only furnishes the proper instruction for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you might be somewhat confused about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more about that in the next segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Woodridge residence. Tuition will also be a critical factor when evaluating possible barber schools. Just bear in mind that because a school is the closest or the lowest cost it's not necessarily the right option. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.

Why Become a Barber?

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 Schools

Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Woodridge IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Woodridge IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Woodridge IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Woodridge IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking 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 involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Woodridge IL barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Woodridge IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered?  Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial help may be offered in Woodridge IL.

How to Choose a Barber College in Woodridge

Choose in the Best Woodridge Barber College

Choosing and enrolling in the right barber college is important to obtain the appropriate training to become a licensed technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel positive about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the responses you receive from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that data to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address 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 exam, you will be confident that you are qualified to launch your new career as a professional barber in Woodridge Illinois.

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