IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Roseville CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of 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 rigorous screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Roseville CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations 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 pointer, contact some Roseville CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of 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 clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Roseville CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical 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 develop associations in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study 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 higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Roseville CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well regarded 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 receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Roseville CA schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Roseville CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting 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 school is located near or in a large 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 charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Roseville CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.