IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you should have determined which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the San Lorenzo CA area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician program 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 demanding review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of San Lorenzo CA area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet 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 schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some San Lorenzo CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with San Lorenzo CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the San Lorenzo CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might mean that the training is not highly thought of 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 Lorenzo CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out 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 subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your San Lorenzo CA home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state 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 essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near San Lorenzo CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.