IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you should have selected which veterinary degree that you would like to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Menomonee Falls WI area as well as across the USA, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we discussed in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously touched on other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the vet tech school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have gone through a demanding review process that ensures you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Menomonee Falls WI area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet community. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final suggestion, contact some Menomonee Falls WI veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even suggest some schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best approach to obtain practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing have internship programs established with Menomonee Falls WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial regarding the clinical training, but an internship can also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are evaluating. A lower rate may indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, verify that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate could indicate that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Menomonee Falls WI vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate 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 may get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Menomonee Falls WI schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Menomonee Falls WI home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into 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 in or near a large city. Also, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes may be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you ascertain if the vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Menomonee Falls WI. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.