IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinary degree that you wish to earn, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Kenosha WI area and across the Country, you must ask some important questions to help fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is often a precondition for employment for a number of Kenosha WI area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinary field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include checking with online 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 violations concerning your specific schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Kenosha WI veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with Kenosha WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinary community and help in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Kenosha WI veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not well thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Kenosha WI programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also decide to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Kenosha WI home, you must make certain that the driving 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, especially if the school is located in or near a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the vet colleges you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Kenosha WI. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Verify that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss because of work, sickness or family issues. You might discover that an online program is the best way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.