IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Lathrop CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among 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 rigorous screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Lathrop CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet 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 involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Lathrop 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 suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Lathrop CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Lathrop CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lathrop CA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lathrop CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Lathrop CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.