IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Glendale AZ area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of 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 review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Glendale AZ area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Glendale AZ veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out 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. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Glendale AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Glendale AZ vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Glendale AZ colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Glendale AZ home, you have to confirm 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 college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending 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 important that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Glendale AZ. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need 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 might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.