IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Fortuna CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 demanding review process that verifies you will obtain 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 degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Fortuna CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet 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 infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Fortuna CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Fortuna CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Fortuna CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Fortuna CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning 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 Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Fortuna CA home, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fortuna CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.