IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Stanford CA area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college 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 need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, 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 review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Stanford CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Stanford CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Stanford CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance 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 teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might signify that the program has an excellent reputation within the Stanford CA veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective 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 Stanford CA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Stanford CA home, you need to confirm that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, 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 larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Stanford CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family issues. You might discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.