IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Hayward CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune 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 touched on other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Hayward CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials 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 grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Hayward CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Hayward CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Hayward CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Hayward CA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Hayward CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Hayward CA. Some may only be able to attend class 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 emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.