IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Arcata CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to 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 mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. 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 Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in 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 quality 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 programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Arcata CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Arcata CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Arcata CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Arcata CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Arcata CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Arcata CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting 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 school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Arcata CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.