IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend 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 Chula Vista CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Chula Vista CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips 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 concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Chula Vista CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Chula Vista CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of 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 higher placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Chula Vista CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Chula Vista CA colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Chula Vista CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, 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 near or in a large city. Also, 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 costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Chula Vista CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.