IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Stanton CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like 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 considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for many Stanton CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Stanton CA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest 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. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Stanton CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job 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 begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Stanton CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not well 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 most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Stanton CA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students concerning 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 covered location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Stanton CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with 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, particularly if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Stanton CA. Some might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.