IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Olivehurst CA area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list 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 verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Olivehurst CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking 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 targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Olivehurst CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain 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 set up with Olivehurst CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Olivehurst CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Olivehurst CA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Olivehurst CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Olivehurst CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.