IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Santa Clara CA area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier 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 an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of Santa Clara CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating 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 concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Santa Clara CA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs established with Santa Clara CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Santa Clara CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify 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, you may get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Santa Clara CA programs you are looking at what their class 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 instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Santa Clara CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting 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 near or in 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 higher tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the vet programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Santa Clara CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.