IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you probably have determined which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Brighton CO area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to choose a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous screening process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a requirement for employment for many Brighton CO area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Brighton CO veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Brighton CO veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate could mean that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Brighton CO veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Brighton CO programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for 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? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Brighton CO home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a large city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Brighton CO. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.