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 intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Wasco CA area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the vet tech program you choose 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 undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Wasco CA area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Wasco CA veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are looking at have internship programs set up with Wasco CA veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Wasco CA vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly 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 probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Wasco CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Wasco CA home, you must make sure that the commuting 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 college is located in or close by a larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes could 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 find out if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit 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 Wasco CA. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet education into your active life.