IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Fremont CA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need 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 need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for many Fremont CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Fremont CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Fremont CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. 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 regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Fremont CA vet community and has a substantial 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 a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Fremont CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Fremont CA home, you have to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you determine if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Fremont CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.