IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Pittsburg CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Pittsburg CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet 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 concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Pittsburg CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Pittsburg CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Pittsburg CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not well thought of 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 probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Pittsburg CA colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Pittsburg CA home, you have to confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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 school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide 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 attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit 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 Pittsburg CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.