IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Kerman CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Kerman CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Kerman CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Kerman CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the school has an excellent reputation within the Kerman CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Kerman CA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback 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 School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Kerman CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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 larger 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 charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might 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 essential that you determine if the vet schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Kerman CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.