IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Atascadero CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Atascadero CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Atascadero CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Atascadero CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Atascadero CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Atascadero CA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students concerning 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 College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Atascadero CA home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Atascadero CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.