IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Glendale CA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Glendale CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Glendale CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Glendale CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Glendale CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Glendale CA colleges you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Glendale CA home, you have to make certain that the driving 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, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate 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 Glendale CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.