IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you probably have selected which veterinary credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the San Juan Capistrano CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, 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 an extensive review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for many San Juan Capistrano CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some San Juan Capistrano CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with San Juan Capistrano CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate might signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the San Juan Capistrano CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well 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 may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the San Juan Capistrano CA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your San Juan Capistrano CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Juan Capistrano CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.