IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Palm Desert CA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Palm Desert CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on 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 complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Palm Desert CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Palm Desert CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Palm Desert CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Palm Desert CA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations 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 talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Palm Desert CA home, you need to make certain 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, particularly if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Palm Desert CA. Others may only be able to go to classes 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 might miss due to work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.