IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Antelope CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Antelope CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting 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 specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Antelope CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Antelope CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Antelope CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly 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, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Antelope CA colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Antelope CA home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Antelope CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.