IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Bakersfield CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for example 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 qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Bakersfield CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips 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 infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Bakersfield CA vet 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 recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Bakersfield CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Bakersfield CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Bakersfield CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Bakersfield CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in 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 online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Bakersfield CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.