IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Jacksonville AL area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Jacksonville AL area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Jacksonville AL vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Jacksonville AL veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Jacksonville AL veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Jacksonville AL schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Jacksonville AL home, you have to make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Jacksonville AL. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.