IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lancaster CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Lancaster CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Lancaster CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Lancaster CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Lancaster CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lancaster CA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lancaster CA home, you have to confirm that the driving 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 near a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Lancaster CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.