IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Compton CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, 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 thorough 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 many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Compton CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Compton CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Compton CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary 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 veterinary technician college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Compton CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly 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 in size, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Compton CA programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding 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 already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Compton CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit 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 Compton CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your active life.