IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Santa Clarita CA area and across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a precondition for employment for many Santa Clarita CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Santa Clarita CA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Santa Clarita CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Santa Clarita CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded 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 most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Santa Clarita CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Santa Clarita 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 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, taking online classes might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Santa Clarita CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.