IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Birmingham AL area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Birmingham AL area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Birmingham AL veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Birmingham AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Birmingham AL veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Birmingham AL schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Birmingham AL home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Birmingham AL. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.