IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the South Lake Tahoe CA area and across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough review process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of South Lake Tahoe CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some South Lake Tahoe CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with South Lake Tahoe CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the South Lake Tahoe CA veterinarian community and has a considerable 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 assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the South Lake Tahoe CA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already talked about 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 South Lake Tahoe CA home, you need to make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near South Lake Tahoe CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.