IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree 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 trade schools in the Madera CA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, 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 screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Madera CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin 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 internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Madera CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Madera CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Madera CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Madera CA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Madera CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college 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 higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Madera CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.