IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Brown Deer WI area as well as across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Brown Deer WI area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start 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 internet school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final pointer, get in touch with some Brown Deer WI vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Brown Deer WI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a vet tech school may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the program has an excellent reputation within the Brown Deer WI vet community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Brown Deer WI programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we previously discussed location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Brown Deer WI home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out 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. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Brown Deer WI. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.