IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the San Fernando CA area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many San Fernando CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some San Fernando CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with San Fernando CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the San Fernando CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the San Fernando CA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning 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 covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your San Fernando CA home, you have to make certain that the driving time is compatible with 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, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools 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 Fernando CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.