IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the La Verne CA area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many La Verne CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations 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 recommendation, contact some La Verne CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with La Verne CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections 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 challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the La Verne CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the La Verne CA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, 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 La Verne CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near La Verne CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.