IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Desert Hot Springs CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among 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 get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Desert Hot Springs CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Desert Hot Springs CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical 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 set up with Desert Hot Springs CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian 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 vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Desert Hot Springs CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Desert Hot Springs CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Desert Hot Springs 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 college is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Desert Hot Springs CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.