IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Germantown WI area as well as across the USA, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously mentioned, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous review process that verifies you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for a number of Germantown WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final recommendation, contact some Germantown WI veterinary clinics that you might wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even suggest one or more colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best approach to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with Germantown WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local vet community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Germantown WI veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Germantown WI colleges you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet tech classes from your Germantown 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 commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the school is located close by or within a large city. Also, if you do choose to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's imperative that you ascertain if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Germantown WI. Others might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are available before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.