Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Depending on whether you attend a technical college for a vocational certification or a four-year college to earn a degree, there are a variety of certifications and degrees offered to students who focus on technology. You might opt to major in a field such as engineering, mathematics or programming. Be sure to consult your school’s course catalogue to determine the best program for your needs.
Among the certifications and degrees offered for the technology field are:
- Vocational Certificate
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
Information technology career paths are accessible within a wide gamut of career training or education levels.
If time is important, you could finish a technology program at a vocational college in just a year. But if you’re willing to invest more time in your education, you could earn a Bachelor’s Degree in four years or less. Remember that many companies structure their pay scales based on education level.
How to Become a Veterinary Technician
A career as a veterinary technician may be for you if you're interested in helping the lives of pets and their owners. A veterinary technician is also known as a “vet tech.” You may want to become a vet tech if you enjoy working with animals. Veterinary technicians provide shots, take blood samples, and perform tests on animals.
A career as a veterinary technician can be stressful at times, too. The work can be demanding, both physically and emotionally, and sometimes dangerous because of the nature of animals.
Training Required to be a Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)
To become a veterinary technician, you will need a two-year degree. Some colleges offer veterinary technician programs that require four years of coursework. People who have graduated with four-year degrees are known as veterinary technologists. The college needs to be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). These two-year colleges are typically community colleges.
Students interested in careers as veterinary technicians should take classes such as math, biology, and science courses. Classes in a laboratory setting are also recommended. Internships and volunteer work can give you an edge by providing you with experience that others may not have.
The licensing for veterinary technicians depends on the state in which you reside; however, most states require veterinary technicians to pass a credentialing exam at a minimum. The exam has three components: oral, written, and practical or hands-on. Although each state may have its own exam, the states typically use the one administer by the AVMA. Employers usually require additional credentials, however, and they suggest candidates obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), which provides certification by passing its exam and having qualifying work experience.
Veterinary Technician Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median veterinary technician salary is $28,900. The top ten percent of veterinary technician salaries is above $41,400. The middle fifty percent of veterinary technician salaries fall between $23,600 and $34,900. The bottom ten percent of veterinary technician salaries fall below $19,800. (Salary data retrieved 7/10/11)
To get the training you need to become a veterinary technician, find a degree program now!