IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Moraga CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will get a superior 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 requirement for employment for many Moraga CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Moraga CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Moraga CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Moraga CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Moraga CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Moraga CA home, you must make sure 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, particularly if the college is located in or close by 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may 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 important that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Moraga CA. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.