IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Carson CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Carson CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Carson CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Carson CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Carson CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Carson CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Carson CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian programs 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 at night near Carson CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.