IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Martinez CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to enroll in 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 need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Martinez 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 excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Martinez CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Martinez CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. 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 school has an outstanding reputation within the Martinez CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Martinez CA schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Martinez CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus 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 increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating 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 Martinez CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.