IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Mission Viejo CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Mission Viejo CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Mission Viejo CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Mission Viejo CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Mission Viejo CA vet community and has a considerable 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 ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Mission Viejo CA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students concerning 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 School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Mission Viejo CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within 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 increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Mission Viejo CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.