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 veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, 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 Cupertino CA area and across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for 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 often a requirement for employment for many Cupertino CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Cupertino CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Cupertino CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Cupertino CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Cupertino CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Cupertino CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or near a larger 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 fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Cupertino CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.