IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Vallejo CA area as well as across the United States, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you select 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 undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Vallejo CA area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with 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 grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Vallejo CA veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs set up with Vallejo CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate could suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Vallejo CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Vallejo CA programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Vallejo CA home, you have to confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might 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 essential that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Vallejo CA. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet education into your active life.