IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Alameda CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Alameda CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Alameda CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Alameda CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Alameda CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Alameda CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Alameda CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, 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 fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might 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 ascertain if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Alameda CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.