IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Santa Maria CA area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously 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 undergone a rigorous review process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a requirement for employment for many Santa Maria CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Santa Maria CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Santa Maria CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Santa Maria CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Santa Maria CA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to 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 previously 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 Maria CA home, you need to make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do decide 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. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you determine if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Santa Maria CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your vet training into your busy life.