IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Altadena CA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 demanding screening process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for many Altadena CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Altadena 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 may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Altadena CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed 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 could mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Altadena CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Altadena CA colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Altadena CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Altadena CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.