IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Camp Pendleton South CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 demanding review process that confirms you will get a superior 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Camp Pendleton South CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies 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 tip, contact some Camp Pendleton South CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Camp Pendleton South CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet 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 can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Camp Pendleton South CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean 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 in size, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Camp Pendleton South CA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Camp Pendleton South CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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 larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Camp Pendleton South CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.