IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Fullerton CA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Fullerton CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Fullerton CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Fullerton CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. 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 practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Fullerton CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of 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 may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Fullerton CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Fullerton CA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do choose 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 attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring 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 go to classes on the weekends or at night near Fullerton CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.