IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Daly City CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Daly City CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade 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 interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Daly City CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Daly City CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Daly City CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Daly City CA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Daly City CA home, you need to make certain 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, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Daly City CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.