IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Santa Paula CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a requirement for employment for a number of Santa Paula CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials 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 involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, phone some Santa Paula CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the programs you are considering have internship programs established with Santa Paula CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build connections in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Santa Paula CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Santa Paula CA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students regarding 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 School Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Santa Paula CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with 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, particularly if the college is located in or near a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are considering 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 at night near Santa Paula CA. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.