IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Dana Point CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Dana Point CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Dana Point CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Dana Point CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Dana Point CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Dana Point CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Dana Point CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into 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 campus is located in or close by 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 higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Dana Point CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.