IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Costa Mesa CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Costa Mesa CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian 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 suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Costa Mesa CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Costa Mesa CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Costa Mesa CA veterinarian community and has a substantial 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 ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Costa Mesa CA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Costa Mesa CA home, you have to make sure 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 school is located near or in 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 higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Costa Mesa CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.