IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Santa Barbara CA area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Santa Barbara CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian 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 checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Santa Barbara CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Santa Barbara CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Santa Barbara CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well 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 in size, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Santa Barbara CA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Santa Barbara CA home, you have to make certain that the commuting 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 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 increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Santa Barbara CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.