IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Downey CA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 thorough review process that verifies you will get 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. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Downey CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary 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 pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking 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 suggestion, phone some Downey CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Downey CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Downey CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Downey CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors 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 methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Downey CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly 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 charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Downey CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before 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 ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.