IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Castro Valley CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty 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 schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Castro Valley CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating 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 involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Castro Valley CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Castro Valley CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Castro Valley CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Castro Valley CA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Castro Valley CA home, you must make certain that the commuting 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 college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit 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 Castro Valley CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.