IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Berkeley CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in 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 should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech school 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 thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Berkeley CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Berkeley CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Berkeley CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Berkeley CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Berkeley CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Berkeley CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit 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 Berkeley CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.