IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Yuma AZ area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Yuma AZ area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Arizona school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Yuma AZ vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Yuma AZ veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Yuma AZ vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Yuma AZ schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Yuma 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the vet colleges you are exploring 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 at night near Yuma AZ. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.