IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Eagle River AK area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Eagle River AK area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alaska school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Eagle River AK veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Eagle River AK veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Eagle River AK veterinary community and has a significant 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 Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Eagle River AK schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Eagle River AK 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Eagle River AK. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.