IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you want 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 Segundo CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many El Segundo CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations 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 suggestion, call some El Segundo CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical 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 arranged with El Segundo CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the El Segundo CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the El Segundo CA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to 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 School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your El Segundo CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into 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, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near El Segundo CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.