IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you should have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Auburn CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Auburn CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Auburn CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training 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 Auburn CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Auburn CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Auburn CA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Auburn CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly 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 increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you determine if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Auburn CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.