IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Clovis CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, 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 ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Clovis CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Clovis CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Clovis CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Clovis CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Clovis CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Clovis CA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into 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 college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are looking at 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 Clovis CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.