IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Los Gatos CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Los Gatos CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Los Gatos CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Los Gatos CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Los Gatos CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective 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. Solicit from the Los Gatos CA colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Los Gatos CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Los Gatos CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family issues. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.