How to Choose a Beauty School near Kankakee Illinois
Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Kankakee IL, the task starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s essential that the school you choose not only furnishes the appropriate education for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing examination. When you start your initial search, you might be a little bit puzzled about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to choose a school that is within driving distance of your Kankakee home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the right option. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of training programs are offered.
What is Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more attractive through the use of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be almost anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work settings include not only Kankakee IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, launch their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:
- Hairdressers
- Hairstylists
- Beauticians
- Barbers
- Manicurists
- Nail Technicians
- Makeup Artists
- Hair Coloring Specialists
- Estheticians
- Electrolysis Technicians
As previously mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those conducting more skilled services, such as hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.
Cosmetologist Degrees and Certificates
There are primarily two avenues offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be instructed in all of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you wish to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also most likely include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to operate a parlor or other Kankakee IL business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are available in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you decide on, it’s imperative to make sure that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. Many states only certify schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will discuss the benefits of accreditation for the school you decide on in the following segment.
Online Beauty Courses
Online cosmetology programs are convenient for Kankakee IL students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to attend a more traditional school. There are many online beauty school programs available that can be accessed through a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional beauty schools are typically fast paced due to the fact that many courses are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same amount of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. However, it’s imperative that the school you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training necessary for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s impossible to acquire the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.
Questions to Ask Beauty Trade Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training program you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Kankakee IL home, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 60901 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Kankakee IL businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any cosmetologist institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Kankakee IL salon owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you choose a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a hair salon in Kankakee IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering cosmetology techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the beauty classes you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on site that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a beauty school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a cosmetology program, it’s important that he or she gets aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Kankakee IL employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most cosmetology schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be offered.
Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Kankakee IL?
If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Kankakee IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.
Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee /kæŋkəˈki/ is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States.[5] The city's name is probably derived from the Miami-Illinois word teeyaahkiki, meaning: "Open country/exposed land/land in open/land exposed to view,"[6][7][8][9][10][11] in reference to the area's prior status as a marsh. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,537. Kankakee is a principal city of the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area
The area of Kankakee was inhabited by the Potawatami beginning sometime in the 18th century. In 1833 the Potawatami signed a treaty with the United States government, agreeing to leave the region and move west. Kankakee was founded in 1854.[12]
According to the 2010 census, Kankakee has a total area of 14.62 square miles (37.87 km2), of which 14.14 square miles (36.62 km2) (or 96.72%) is land and 0.48 square miles (1.24 km2) (or 3.28%) is water.[14]
Pick the Right Beauty Training Program near Kankakee IL
Choosing and enrolling in the right beauty program is essential to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed cosmetology technician. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel confident about your decision. Be sure to organize all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A good start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the school and program you pick are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you start with that foundation, and address the additional questions presented in this article, you will be able to reduce your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Kankakee IL.
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