IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Millbrae CA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select 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 vet tech programs that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Millbrae CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Millbrae CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Millbrae CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Millbrae CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Millbrae CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Millbrae CA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Millbrae CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.