IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Foster City CA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary 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 agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Foster City CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating 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 infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Foster City CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Foster City CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Foster City CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower 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 larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Foster City CA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Foster City CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate 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. 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 particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Foster City CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.