IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Dublin CA area and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program 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 undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Dublin CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Dublin CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Dublin CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Dublin CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Dublin CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide 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 backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Dublin CA home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger 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 higher tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Dublin CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.