IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Albany CA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Albany CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Albany CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Albany CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many 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 build relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Albany CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may 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 larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Albany CA schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Albany CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college 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 higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Albany CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.