IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Gardena CA area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose 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 screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Gardena CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Gardena CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Gardena CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Gardena CA veterinarian community and has a significant 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 Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Gardena CA colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Gardena CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Gardena CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.