IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Barstow CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college 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 should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Barstow CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking 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 violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Barstow CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Barstow CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Barstow CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Barstow CA colleges 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. 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 College Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Barstow CA home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into 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 close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Barstow CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.