IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Mesa AZ area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Mesa AZ area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Mesa AZ veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Mesa AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Mesa AZ veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well 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, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Mesa AZ schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Mesa AZ home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Mesa AZ. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.