IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Sunnyvale CA area as well as across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, 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 screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Sunnyvale CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some Sunnyvale CA veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Sunnyvale CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed 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 might indicate that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Sunnyvale CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean 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 in size, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Sunnyvale CA programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Sunnyvale CA home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the vet programs you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Sunnyvale CA. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.