IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the San Pablo CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly regarded 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 ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of San Pablo CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some San Pablo CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with San Pablo CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet 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 school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the San Pablo CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may 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 in size, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the San Pablo CA colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your San Pablo CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Pablo CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.