IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian 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 veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Flagstaff AZ area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Flagstaff AZ area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Flagstaff AZ veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Flagstaff AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Flagstaff AZ veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Flagstaff AZ schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Flagstaff AZ home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Flagstaff AZ. Some 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 might miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.