IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Manteca CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Manteca CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Manteca CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Manteca CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Manteca CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Manteca CA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Manteca CA home, you need to make sure 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 drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located in or near 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 higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Manteca CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.