IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the South Whittier CA area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help 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 touched on other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of South Whittier CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some South Whittier CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with South Whittier CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help build relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the South Whittier CA veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could signify 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 larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the South Whittier CA schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your South Whittier CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with 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, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger 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 particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near South Whittier CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your active life.