IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have selected which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the San Leandro CA area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 rigorous review process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of San Leandro CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some San Leandro CA veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges 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 environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with San Leandro CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy 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 indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the San Leandro CA veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the San Leandro CA programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to 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 College Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your San Leandro CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Leandro CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.