IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Rosemead CA area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the list 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 make sure that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, 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 screening process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Rosemead CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, call some Rosemead CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Rosemead CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Rosemead CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Rosemead CA schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning 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 Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Rosemead CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with 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 college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Rosemead CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.