IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you wish to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Johnstown CO area and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that confirms you will obtain 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 offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Johnstown CO area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or vocational school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final pointer, call some Johnstown CO veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Johnstown CO veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Johnstown CO vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Johnstown CO colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Johnstown CO home, you must make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 near or in a larger city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you find out if the vet programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Johnstown CO. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.