IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you should have decided on which veterinary credential that you would like 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, trade and vocational schools in the Green Bay WI area as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college 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 veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you make sure that the veterinary technician college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Green Bay WI area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you select must have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any complaints or infractions concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, get in touch with some Green Bay WI vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Green Bay WI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are evaluating. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could signify that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Green Bay WI veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Green Bay WI colleges you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Green Bay WI home, you must confirm that the driving 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, especially if the college is located in or near a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend 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, attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you ascertain if the veterinary programs you are looking at 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 at night near Green Bay WI. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you require are offered prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family emergencies. You may find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your hectic life.