IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Salida CA area and across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Salida CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Salida CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Salida CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Salida CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Salida CA colleges you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Salida CA home, you need to make sure 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 school is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Salida CA. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.