IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the San Gabriel CA area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many San Gabriel CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some San Gabriel CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with San Gabriel CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the San Gabriel CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the San Gabriel CA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your San Gabriel CA home, you must 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could 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 important that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near San Gabriel CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.