IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree 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, technical and vocational schools in the Malibu CA area and across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 a demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Malibu CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Malibu CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Malibu CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement 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 colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate could indicate 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 placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Malibu CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Malibu CA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Malibu CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near 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 charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Malibu 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 available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.