IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Fillmore CA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Fillmore CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references 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 grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Fillmore CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Fillmore CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. 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 beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Fillmore CA veterinary community and has a substantial 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 Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Fillmore CA schools you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Fillmore CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting 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. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Fillmore CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm 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 sickness, work or family issues. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.