IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Juneau AK area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Juneau AK area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Alaska school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Juneau AK vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Juneau AK veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of 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 assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might signify 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 schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Juneau AK vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Juneau AK colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Juneau AK home, you need to make sure that the driving 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, especially if the college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools 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 go to classes on the weekends or at night near Juneau AK. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.