IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Mobile AL area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for many Mobile AL area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Alabama school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Mobile AL veterinary clinics that you may wish 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 experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Mobile AL veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Mobile AL vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Mobile AL schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Mobile AL home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within 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 costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Mobile AL. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.