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 selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Saratoga CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Saratoga CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary 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 contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Saratoga CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Saratoga CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate may mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Saratoga CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Saratoga CA programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Saratoga CA home, you have to make certain that the driving 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 near or in a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the vet schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Saratoga CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain 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 emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.