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 decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Montebello CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for many Montebello CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Montebello CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Montebello CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Montebello CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Montebello CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Montebello CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough 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 Montebello CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.