IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Spring Valley CA area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a precondition for employment for a number of Spring Valley CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you choose must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. 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 online 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 infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Spring Valley CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Spring Valley CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Spring Valley CA vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate 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 probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Spring Valley CA colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Spring Valley CA home, you need to make sure 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 college 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 state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinarian programs you are considering 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 at night near Spring Valley CA. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.