IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Woodland CA area and across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, 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 screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for many Woodland CA area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the California school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions relating to your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Woodland CA vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Woodland CA veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Woodland CA veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Woodland CA colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Woodland CA home, you need to confirm that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a larger city. In addition, 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 costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Woodland CA. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.