IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Grass Valley CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 a thorough screening process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Grass Valley CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Grass Valley CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Grass Valley CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Grass Valley CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Grass Valley CA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Grass Valley CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Grass Valley CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.