IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should 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 vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Shafter CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many Shafter CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Shafter CA vet clinics 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 one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Shafter CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Shafter CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Shafter CA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Shafter CA home, you must confirm that the driving 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 campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, 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, attending online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Shafter CA. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your hectic life.