IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you want 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 Fort Collins CO area as well as across the United States, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other essential qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Fort Collins CO area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating 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 recommendation, call some Fort Collins CO vet clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Fort Collins CO veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local vet community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school may be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Fort Collins CO vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify 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 bigger, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Fort Collins CO colleges you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Fort Collins CO home, you need to make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located close by or within a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Fort Collins CO. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.