IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Anaheim CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program 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 need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Anaheim CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online 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 tip, get in touch with some Anaheim CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Anaheim CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Anaheim CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Anaheim CA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Anaheim CA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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 near or in 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 increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Anaheim CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.