IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Tehachapi 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 potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Tehachapi CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Tehachapi CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Tehachapi CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could signify that the program has an outstanding reputation within the Tehachapi CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate 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 bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Tehachapi CA colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Tehachapi CA home, you must confirm that the driving time fits into 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 school is located close by or within 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 higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are looking at 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 go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Tehachapi CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.