IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Pasadena CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Pasadena CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Pasadena CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Pasadena CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Pasadena CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean 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 get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Pasadena CA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Pasadena CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Pasadena CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.