IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Steamboat Springs CO area as well as across the United States, you should ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech school you select 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 verifies you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Steamboat Springs CO area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations relating to your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, call some Steamboat Springs CO vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with Steamboat Springs CO veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Steamboat Springs CO vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Steamboat Springs CO colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we previously 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 Steamboat Springs CO home, you have to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you determine if the vet programs you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Steamboat Springs CO. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet education into your hectic life.