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 credential that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the East Hemet CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of East Hemet CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some East Hemet 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 suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with East Hemet CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of 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 can also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the East Hemet CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify 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 bigger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the East Hemet CA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your East Hemet CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near 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 costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near East Hemet CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.