IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lake Arrowhead CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Lake Arrowhead CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Lake Arrowhead CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Lake Arrowhead CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Lake Arrowhead CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lake Arrowhead CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lake Arrowhead CA home, you need to 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college 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, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Lake Arrowhead 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 prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.