IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Lemon Grove CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Lemon Grove CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies 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, contact some Lemon Grove CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through 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 means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Lemon Grove CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Lemon Grove CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lemon Grove CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lemon Grove CA home, you must 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do decide 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. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Lemon Grove CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your hectic life.