IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lake Havasu City AZ area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college 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 screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential 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 college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Lake Havasu City AZ area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Lake Havasu City AZ veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Lake Havasu City AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Lake Havasu City AZ vet community and has a considerable 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 ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lake Havasu City AZ colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lake Havasu City AZ home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into 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 school is located near or in a larger 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lake Havasu City AZ. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.