IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Orinda CA area and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Orinda CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, contact some Orinda CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Orinda CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed 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 might mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Orinda CA veterinary community and has a substantial 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 Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Orinda CA schools you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Orinda CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are exploring 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 at night near Orinda CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.