IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the San Carlos CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, 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 demanding screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of San Carlos CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some San Carlos CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with San Carlos CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the San Carlos CA veterinary community and has a considerable 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 a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the San Carlos CA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your San Carlos CA home, you need to make certain 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Carlos CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.