IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Temecula CA area and across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, among 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 confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Temecula CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online 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 complaints or infractions involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Temecula CA vet clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Temecula CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Temecula CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Temecula CA schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Temecula CA home, you need to make sure that the driving time fits into 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, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Temecula CA. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the best way to fit your vet education into your busy life.