IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Manhattan Beach CA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Manhattan Beach CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Manhattan Beach CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Manhattan Beach CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Manhattan Beach CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Manhattan Beach CA programs you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Manhattan Beach CA home, you have to make certain 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Manhattan Beach CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.