IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Boulder CO area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our opening, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier stated, 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 rigorous review process that verifies you will obtain a quality 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 degree or certificate from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Boulder CO area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Boulder CO vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Boulder CO veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech school can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate may signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. 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 Boulder CO vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well 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 bigger, you probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Boulder CO schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Boulder CO home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college 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 increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Boulder CO. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your hectic life.