IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
At this point you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Temple City CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Temple City CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating 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 relating to your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Temple City CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs arranged with Temple City CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Temple City CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Temple City CA programs you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Temple City CA home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you find out if the vet schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough 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 Temple City CA. Some may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.