IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Green Valley AZ area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Green Valley AZ area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Green Valley AZ veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Green Valley AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Green Valley AZ veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Green Valley AZ schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Green Valley AZ home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Green Valley AZ. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.