IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Grand Junction CO area and across the USA, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Grand Junction CO area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Grand Junction CO vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Grand Junction 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 regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can 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 considering. A low rate could indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Grand Junction CO veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly 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 larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Grand Junction CO colleges you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Grand Junction CO home, you need to confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs particularly for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian schools you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Grand Junction CO. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.