IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Oceanside CA area and across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected 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 receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Oceanside CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Oceanside CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Oceanside CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate may suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Oceanside CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly 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 personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Oceanside CA programs you are looking at 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 teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Oceanside CA home, you must 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 college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Oceanside CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.