IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Rancho Cordova CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Rancho Cordova CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and speaking 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 suggestion, get in touch with some Rancho Cordova CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Rancho Cordova CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the college has an excellent reputation within the Rancho Cordova CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Rancho Cordova CA colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Rancho Cordova CA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Rancho Cordova CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.