IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Tempe AZ area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among 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 thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Tempe AZ area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Tempe AZ veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Tempe AZ veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Tempe AZ vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Tempe AZ colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors 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 planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Tempe AZ home, you have to make certain that the commuting 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 large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in 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 classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Tempe AZ. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.