IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Colorado Springs CO area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the veterinary technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that verifies 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 offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Colorado Springs CO area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Colorado Springs CO veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Colorado Springs CO veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of 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 higher placement rate may indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Colorado Springs CO vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not well 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 most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Colorado Springs CO colleges you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Colorado Springs CO home, you must make certain that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a college 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, taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Colorado Springs CO. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.