IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Agoura CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Agoura CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Agoura CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Agoura CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Agoura CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Agoura CA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Agoura CA home, you have to confirm 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, especially if the school is located in or close by a large 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 higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Agoura CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.