Become a Cosmetologist | Cosmetology Schools Steeleville IL

How to Select a Cosmetologist College near Steeleville Illinois

nail technicians training at Steeleville IL beauty schoolOnce you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Steeleville IL, the process starts to find and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you choose not only provides the proper education for the specialty you have chosen, but also prepares you for passing the licensing examination. When you begin your preliminary search, you might be rather puzzled about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are pretty much interchangeable and both refer to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit further regarding that in the following segment. If you plan on commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Steeleville home. Tuition will additionally be an important consideration when assessing possible schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it’s not automatically the right option. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning 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 types of programs are offered.

Defining Cosmetology

Steeleville IL makeup ar4tist applying makeupCosmetology 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 a number of cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the term cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work settings include not only Steeleville IL beauty salons and barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start seeing clients either in their own residences or will go to the client’s house, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide variety of specializations including:

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

As earlier stated, in most states practicing cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Degrees

Steeleville IL hairdresser cutting hairThere are basically two options available to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs normally call for 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree ordinarily takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you wish to focus on just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also likely incorporate management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to manage a salon or other Steeleville IL business. Higher degrees are not prevalent, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of course you choose, it’s essential 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 highly regarded organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Beauty Training

student attending cosmetology school online in Steeleville ILOnline beauty schools are convenient for Steeleville IL students who are employed full-time and have family obligations that make it challenging to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based cosmetology school programs offered that can be accessed by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are typically fast paced due to the fact that many programs are as short as six or eight months. This means that a significant portion of time is spent in the classroom. With online programs, you are dealing with the same volume of material, but you are not devoting many hours outside of your home or commuting back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the school you choose can provide internship training in local salons and parlors in order that you also obtain the hands-on training required 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 profession. So be sure if you choose to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Trade Schools

Questions to ask Steeleville IL beauty schoolsBelow is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Steeleville IL home, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the cosmetology training program you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in 62288 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous Steeleville IL businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any cosmetology school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Steeleville IL salon owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus?  Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you select 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a hair salon in Steeleville IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in the specialty you are pursuing will not provide the training you require.

Is Enough Live Training Provided?  Practicing and refining cosmetology skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the beauty courses you will be attending. A number of schools have salons on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty academy offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance?  Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that he or she receives support in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with Steeleville IL businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which salons and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask 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 Assistance Offered?  Most cosmetology schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be provided.

Enrolled in Cosmetology School near Steeleville IL?

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

Steeleville, Illinois

According to the 2010 census, Steeleville has a total area of 1.528 square miles (3.96 km2), of which 1.52 square miles (3.94 km2) (or 99.48%) is land and 0.008 square miles (0.02 km2) (or 0.52%) is water.[4] Steeleville is located adjacent to Mary's River, a direct tributary of the Mississippi River.

Steeleville has had several names Alma, Georgetown and Steele's Mill before obtaining its present name. The area near Steeleville was first settled by John Steele in 1807. In 1810 George Steele (John's son) settled in what came to be known as Georgetown. In 1812 a fort was built for protection against the Indians. In 1825 Steele's Mill was erected. Col. Gabriel Jones had a store. In 1827 the Post Office opened under the name Steele's Mill. It wasn't until 1832 that lots where sold in the town by Capt. Rogers, Col. Jones, Dr. Jones, Robert Jones and Tanner Briggs. The Baptist church was organized in 1838 by Rev J B Alcott.

In the early 19th century, the Lusk's Ferry Road ran through what is now Steeleville. This important, early road connected Fort Kaskaskia with Lusk's Ferry on the Ohio River. The road headed northeast out of Kaskaskia toward what is now Steeleville to make its crossing of Mary's River, before heading east and southeast toward Lusk's Ferry.

Pick the Right Beauty Program near Steeleville IL

Steeleville IL barber blow drying client's hairLocating and enrolling in the right cosmetologist college is important to receive the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology professional. Make sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Don’t forget to consolidate all of the information you receive from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence procedure is to make certain that the institution and program you select are accredited and have exceptional reputations within the field. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Steeleville IL.

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