IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the San Pedro CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify 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 regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many San Pedro CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, contact some San Pedro CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with San Pedro CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the San Pedro CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the San Pedro CA schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to 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 School Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your San Pedro CA home, you have to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near San Pedro CA. Others might only be able to go to classes 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 might miss because of work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.