IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Bellflower CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 a rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Bellflower CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips 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 grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Bellflower CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Bellflower CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Bellflower CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Bellflower CA colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations 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 Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Bellflower CA home, you have to make sure that the driving 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, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Bellflower CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.