IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Imperial CA area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying 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 the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential 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 certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Imperial CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking 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 infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Imperial CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Imperial CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Imperial CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Imperial CA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Imperial CA home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near 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 increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could 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 essential that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Imperial CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.