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 degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the North Highlands CA area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough 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 numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many North Highlands CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some North Highlands CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with North Highlands CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the North Highlands CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the North Highlands CA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations 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? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your North Highlands CA home, you need to make certain 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. Also, 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 costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near North Highlands CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.