IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the San Marino CA area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many San Marino CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online 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 complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some San Marino CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with San Marino CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the San Marino CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the San Marino CA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your San Marino CA home, you must make sure that the driving time fits into 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 campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Marino CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.