IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Piedmont CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly respected 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 requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Piedmont CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Piedmont CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical 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 Piedmont CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Piedmont CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Piedmont CA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Piedmont CA home, you have to confirm that the driving 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 close by or within a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Piedmont CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.