IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Chico CA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 gone through a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Chico CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. 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 looking on internet 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 infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Chico CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Chico CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech 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 reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Chico CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower 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, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Chico CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Chico CA home, you have to confirm 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Chico CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.