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 decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Clayton CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Clayton CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Clayton CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Clayton CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Clayton CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Clayton CA programs you are researching 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 students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Clayton CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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 school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, 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 particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Clayton CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.