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 veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Sterling CO area and across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's essential that you confirm that the vet tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is frequently a prerequisite for employment for a number of Sterling CO area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Colorado school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Sterling CO vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend one or more 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 professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Sterling CO veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local vet community and aid in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the college has an excellent reputation within the Sterling CO veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low 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 Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Sterling CO schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet tech classes from your Sterling CO home, you must make sure that the driving time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinarian colleges you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Sterling CO. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.