IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Agoura Hills CA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. 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, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 thorough screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Agoura Hills CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Agoura Hills CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Agoura Hills CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Agoura Hills CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded 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 get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Agoura Hills CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Agoura Hills CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school 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 may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Agoura Hills CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or 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 due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.