IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Orange CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally 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 checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Orange CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Orange CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Orange CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Orange CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Orange CA colleges you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding 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 School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Orange CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering 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 in the evenings near Orange CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.