IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Oakland CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you select 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 undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for a number of Oakland CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on 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 concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Oakland CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Oakland CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Oakland CA veterinary community and has a substantial 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 placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Oakland CA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Oakland CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state 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.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Oakland CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.