IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the El Monte CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of El Monte CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some El Monte CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with El Monte CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the El Monte CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the El Monte CA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your El Monte CA home, you have to confirm 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, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near El Monte CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.