IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish 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 trade schools in the Van Nuys CA area and across the United States, 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 prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, 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 thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for employment for many Van Nuys CA area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Van Nuys CA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Van Nuys CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might mean that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study 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 school has an exceptional reputation within the Van Nuys CA vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Van Nuys CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Van Nuys CA home, you must make sure that the commuting 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 college is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt 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 classes online may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Van Nuys CA. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your vet education into your busy life.