IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Burbank CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Burbank CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet 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 infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Burbank CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Burbank CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide 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 relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Burbank CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Burbank CA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Burbank CA home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into 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 college is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Burbank CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.