IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the San Bernardino CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of 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 ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many San Bernardino CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some San Bernardino CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with San Bernardino CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the San Bernardino CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the San Bernardino CA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your San Bernardino CA home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, 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 charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near San Bernardino CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.