IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lakeside CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for a number of Lakeside CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Lakeside CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Lakeside CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Lakeside CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well 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 bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lakeside CA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding 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 College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Lakeside CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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 in or close by a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you determine if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Lakeside CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.