IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lafayette CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Lafayette CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian 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 looking on internet school ranking 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 infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Lafayette CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Lafayette CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Lafayette CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might 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 larger sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lafayette CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Lafayette CA home, you have to make certain 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 college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary schools you are looking at 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 Lafayette CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.