IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Vet Tech Schools
By now you probably have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Janesville WI area and across the United States, you need to ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already touched on other essential qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you need to select a college that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you make sure that the veterinary technician school you enroll in 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). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive screening process that confirms you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Janesville WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you enroll in must have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some Janesville WI vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They might even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Janesville WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian 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 program may 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 reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the college has an excellent reputation within the Janesville WI veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you most likely will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Janesville WI programs you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Janesville WI home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do decide to enroll in 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 provide you with more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's essential that you find out if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Janesville WI. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.