IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential 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 vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Los Alamitos CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you select 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). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Los Alamitos CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Los Alamitos CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Los Alamitos CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Los Alamitos CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean 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 larger sized, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Los Alamitos CA colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Los Alamitos CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with 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 college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in 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. On the other hand, 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 last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Los Alamitos CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.