IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lincoln CA area and across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Lincoln CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Lincoln CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Lincoln CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Lincoln CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lincoln CA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Lincoln CA home, you must make sure that the driving 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, especially if the college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Lincoln CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.