IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you wish to attain, 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 Franklin WI area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a school that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the vet tech program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 demanding screening process that confirms you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited schools. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Franklin WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you select must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian community. 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 ranking websites and speaking with 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 pointer, phone some Franklin WI veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Franklin WI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools 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, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the college has an exceptional reputation within the Franklin WI vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Franklin WI schools you are researching what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to attend a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine 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 several more points to make on the topic. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Franklin WI home, you must make sure 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 commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Franklin WI. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.