IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Mountain View CA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Mountain View CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with 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 infractions involving your specific schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Mountain View CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Mountain View CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Mountain View CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Mountain View CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Mountain View CA home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into 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 campus is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Mountain View CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.