IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Chatsworth CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Chatsworth CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Chatsworth CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Chatsworth CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Chatsworth CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well 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 sized, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Chatsworth CA colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some 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 qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Chatsworth CA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Chatsworth CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.