IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Rancho Palos Verdes CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to select a college 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 veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Rancho Palos Verdes CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Rancho Palos Verdes CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Rancho Palos Verdes CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Rancho Palos Verdes CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well 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 probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Rancho Palos Verdes CA programs you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Rancho Palos Verdes CA home, you have to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Rancho Palos Verdes CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to 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 program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.