IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Laguna Woods CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Laguna Woods CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Laguna Woods CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical 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 established with Laguna Woods CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Laguna Woods CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well thought of 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 probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Laguna Woods CA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Laguna Woods CA home, you have to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit 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 Laguna Woods CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.