IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the South Gate CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose 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 undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for many South Gate CA area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet 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 complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some South Gate CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with South Gate CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could mean that the program has an excellent reputation within the South Gate CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might 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 bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the South Gate CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your South Gate CA home, you must confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online might 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 determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near South Gate CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.