IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Pleasant Hill CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for many Pleasant Hill CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with 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 complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Pleasant Hill CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Pleasant Hill CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Pleasant Hill CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify 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 bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Pleasant Hill CA colleges you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding 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 School Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Pleasant Hill CA home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Pleasant Hill CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later 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 due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.