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 veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Newport Beach CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Newport Beach CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking 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 violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Newport Beach CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Newport Beach CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Newport Beach CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may 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 larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Newport Beach CA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Newport Beach 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you determine if the vet programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Newport Beach CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.