IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Prescott AZ area and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Prescott AZ area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Prescott AZ vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Prescott AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Prescott AZ veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Prescott AZ schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Prescott AZ home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you find out if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Prescott AZ. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify 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 work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.