IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the New River AZ area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many New River AZ area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some New River AZ veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with New River AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the New River AZ veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of 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 probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the New River AZ colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your New River AZ home, you have to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate 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 New River AZ. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.