IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Riverside CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Riverside CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Riverside CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Riverside CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the Riverside CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean 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 may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Riverside CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Riverside CA home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you find out if the vet colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Riverside CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.