IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Commerce CA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Commerce CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with 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 complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Commerce CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Commerce CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach 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 find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Commerce CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Commerce CA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding 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? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Commerce CA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Commerce CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.