IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Montrose CO area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Montrose CO area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet 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 infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Montrose CO vet clinics that you might want to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Montrose CO veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by way of 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 aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech program can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum 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 high placement rate may indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Montrose CO vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Montrose CO programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Montrose CO home, you must confirm 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online 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 imperative that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible 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 Montrose CO. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family issues. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.