Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Lakewood IL

How to Find the Right Cosmetologist School near Lakewood Illinois

nail technicians training at Lakewood IL beauty school Now that you have made a decision to become a cosmetologist and attend a beauty school near Lakewood IL, the task starts to search for and enroll in the right school. It’s essential that the program you pick not only furnishes the appropriate training for the specialty you have chosen, but also readies you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the names are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We’ll speak a little bit more about that in the upcoming segment. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to find a school that is within driving distance of your Lakewood home. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when reviewing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the least expensive it’s not necessarily the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will go over what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Lakewood IL makeup ar4tist applying makeup Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the application of cosmetics. So naturally it makes sense that many cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the look of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states require that you undergo some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Lakewood IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, once they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s residence, or both. Cosmetology college graduates are known by many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As already stated, in the majority of states working cosmetologists have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exemption. Only those performing more skilled services, for example hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, which include shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetology Degrees

Lakewood IL hairdresser cutting hair There are basically two pathways offered to obtain cosmetology training and a credential after completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually take 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 trained in each of the major areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are offered if you want to focus on just one area, for instance hair coloring. A degree program will also probably feature management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to manage a parlor or other Lakewood IL business. More advanced degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such areas as salon or spa management. Whatever type of course you choose, it’s important to make certain that it’s recognized by the Illinois Board of Cosmetology. A number of states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain respected agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will examine the advantages of accreditation for the school you choose in the upcoming section.

Online Cosmetology Schools

student attending cosmetology school online in Lakewood IL Online cosmetology programs are accommodating for Lakewood IL students who are employed full time and have family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional cosmetology schools are frequently fast paced because many courses are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a significant amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours outside of your home or commuting to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s vital that the program you select can provide internship training in area salons and parlors in order that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills needed to work in any facet of the cosmetology profession. So don’t forget if you choose to enroll in an online program to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Beauty Training Programs

Questions to ask Lakewood IL beauty schools Below is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any beauty training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lakewood IL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make certain that the cosmetology college you choose 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in 62438 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Lakewood IL businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any cosmetologist school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Lakewood IL salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a hair salon in Lakewood IL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you need.

Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting cosmetology skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the cosmetology lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty school, it’s essential that she or he receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with Lakewood IL businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which salons and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.

Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial aid may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Lakewood IL?

If you have decided to attend Beauty School in the greater Lakewood IL area, following is some interesting and perhaps useful information about the location of your new school campus.

Lakewood, Illinois

The Village of Lakewood is located in McHenry County in the state of Illinois. The Village shares its boundaries with the City of Crystal Lake, Village of Lake in the Hills, Village of Huntley, and City of Woodstock.

The Village covers just under 4 square miles (10 km2). There are about 650 acres (2.6 km2) of open space, which equals about 3/4 acre per household. There are 6 lakes, including Crystal Lake which is situated partially in the Village and partially in the City of Crystal Lake, Illinois. The Village is home to two golf courses and several natural areas or wetlands, including the Kishwaukee Fen Nature Preserve. There are also a number of public and private parks and beaches within the Village, as well as walking and bicycle paths and permanent open spaces in the newer subdivisions. Lakewood's recreational areas are West Beach, Crystal Lake, and a number of parks that dot the area.

Small parks, beaches, and boat docks along Crystal Lake's South Shore are private and maintained for use by members of the Country Club Additions Property Owners Association (CCAPOA). This is a homeowners association-like entity for Lakewood houses from approximately Country Club Road (named for Crystal Lake Country Club just to the south) and extending to the south lakeshore. Roads in this lakeside area have decorative posts on the corner of streets intersecting Lake Shore Drive and are called "Gates", such as "Gate 7". The CCAPOA parks take their names from these gates, so a lakeside park would be called "Gate 7 Beach" locally.

Choose the Right Cosmetologist Vocational School near Lakewood IL

Lakewood IL barber blow drying client's hair Locating and enrolling in the right cosmetology college is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to in order to feel confident about your decision. Make sure to consolidate all of the information you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then use that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the academy and program you pick are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing test, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional cosmetologist in Lakewood IL.