IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Montclair CA area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in 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 undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Montclair CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance 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 authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Montclair CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Montclair CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Montclair CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Montclair CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback 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 Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Montclair CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in 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. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you ascertain if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Montclair CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.