IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian degree that you wish to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Torrance CA area and across the USA, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Torrance CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on 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 complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Torrance CA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Torrance CA veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate might mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Torrance CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Torrance CA colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Torrance CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with 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, particularly if the school is located in or close by a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Torrance CA. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your busy life.