IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have determined which veterinary credential that you want to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Longmont CO area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician school you choose 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 gone through a demanding screening process that verifies you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Longmont CO area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your specific schools. As a final tip, contact some Longmont CO veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Longmont CO veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were unqualified to teach the course of study or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Longmont CO veterinarian 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 assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Longmont CO programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we previously covered location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Longmont CO home, you have to make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located near or in a larger 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 higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's essential that you find out if the vet 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 go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Longmont CO. Others might only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of sickness, work or family emergencies. You might discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.