IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Simi Valley CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help 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 previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, among 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 ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Simi Valley CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Simi Valley CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Simi Valley CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Simi Valley CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Simi Valley CA programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students concerning 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 Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Simi Valley CA home, you need to 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, especially if the campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Simi Valley CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.