IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Cerritos CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, 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 screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Cerritos CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance 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 authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Cerritos CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Cerritos CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Cerritos CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Cerritos CA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Cerritos CA home, you have to make sure 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, especially if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Cerritos CA. Others might 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. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.