IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Lodi CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Lodi CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Lodi CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools 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 professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Lodi CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Lodi CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of 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 may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Lodi CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Lodi CA home, you need to make certain 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Lodi CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.