IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Fresno CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Fresno CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Fresno CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Fresno CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Fresno CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Fresno CA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get 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 Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Fresno CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school 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, taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Fresno CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.