IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the La Presa CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you select 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 rigorous screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many La Presa CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some La Presa CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with La Presa CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting 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 colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the La Presa CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the La Presa CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your La Presa 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. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near La Presa CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later 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 may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.