IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Northridge CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, 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 a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Northridge CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Northridge CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Northridge CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Northridge CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower 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 Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Northridge CA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Northridge CA home, you must make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you determine if the vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Northridge CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.