IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the La Mesa CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of La Mesa CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies 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 suggestion, contact some La Mesa CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with La Mesa CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the La Mesa CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the La Mesa CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak 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 covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your La Mesa CA home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are evaluating 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 at night near La Mesa CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.