IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Beaver Dam WI area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 rigorous review process that confirms 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 programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Beaver Dam WI area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an outstanding 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 assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Beaver Dam WI vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Beaver Dam WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local vet community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Beaver Dam WI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Beaver Dam WI colleges you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Beaver Dam WI home, you need to 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinarian colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Beaver Dam WI. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your active life.