IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Huntsville AL area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Huntsville AL area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Huntsville AL vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Huntsville AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Huntsville AL veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Huntsville AL programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Huntsville AL home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Huntsville AL. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.