IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Menlo Park CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list 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 make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 an extensive review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Menlo Park CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Menlo Park CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Menlo Park CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Menlo Park CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Menlo Park CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Menlo Park CA home, you must make certain 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, especially if the campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Menlo Park CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.