IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the De Pere WI area as well as across the Country, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously touched on other significant qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you want to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech colleges that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously discussed, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through an extensive review process that confirms you will get a superior 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 colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of De Pere WI area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions regarding your targeted schools. As a final tip, get in touch with some De Pere WI veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are looking at have internship programs arranged with De Pere WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help establish connections in the local vet community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program 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 lower rate could indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might mean that the school has an exceptional reputation within the De Pere WI veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the De Pere WI programs you are researching what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your De Pere WI home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, particularly if the college is located in or close by 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 particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes may be an alternative that will give you 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 colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near De Pere WI. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.