IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Truckee CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, 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 a demanding review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a precondition for employment for a number of Truckee 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 exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Truckee CA veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs set up with Truckee CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some 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 higher placement rate may mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Truckee CA veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Truckee CA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Truckee CA home, you must confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, 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 close by or within a larger 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 increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you find out if the vet colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Truckee CA. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or 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 might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the best way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.