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 veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Sacramento CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 a thorough screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Sacramento CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online 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 complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Sacramento CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Sacramento CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinarian 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 program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Sacramento CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Sacramento CA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Sacramento CA home, you need to make certain 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, particularly if the school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, 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 fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Sacramento CA. Others may only be able to go to 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 may miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.