IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Marina CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for example 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 addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of 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 review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Marina CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online 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 complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Marina CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Marina CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Marina CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Marina CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Marina CA home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into 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 college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might 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 determine if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Marina CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.