IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Sonoma CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Sonoma CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking 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 infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Sonoma CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs established with Sonoma CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Sonoma CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Sonoma CA schools you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Sonoma CA home, you need to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Sonoma CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.