IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Ashwaubenon WI area and across the Country, you need to ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary 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 degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Ashwaubenon WI area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Ashwaubenon WI vet clinics that you may want to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest some programs 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 clinical environment. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Ashwaubenon WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Ashwaubenon WI veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Ashwaubenon WI programs you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Ashwaubenon WI home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within 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 increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Ashwaubenon WI. Some might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure 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 due to work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.