IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you would like to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Fitchburg WI area and across the United States, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other essential qualifiers, for instance accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a college that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a thorough screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a requirement for employment for a number of Fitchburg WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the vet field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final tip, contact some Fitchburg WI veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? 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 programs you are looking at have internship programs established with Fitchburg WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the school has an excellent reputation within the Fitchburg WI veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Fitchburg WI schools you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to 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 Campus Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to make on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Fitchburg WI home, you need to make certain that the commuting 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 campus is located in or near a large city. In addition, 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. Of course taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you find out if the vet schools you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Fitchburg WI. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online school is the best way to fit your vet education into your active life.