IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Concord CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of 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 screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Concord CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Concord CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Concord CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish 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 challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Concord CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might 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 bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Concord CA schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously 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 Concord CA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Concord CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.