IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Walnut Creek CA area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Walnut Creek CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with 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 tip, get in touch with some Walnut Creek 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 recommend one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Walnut Creek CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Walnut Creek CA veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Walnut Creek CA programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Walnut Creek CA home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you ascertain if the veterinary schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Walnut Creek CA. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.