IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
By now you should have selected which veterinarian degree that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, technical and vocational schools in the Menomonie WI area and across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the vet tech school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. 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 rigorous review process that ensures you will get a superior education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited schools. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is frequently a prerequisite for employment for many Menomonie WI area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you choose should have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can start your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with online school rating websites and speaking with the school's accrediting organizations 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, contact some Menomonie WI veterinary clinics that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think about your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective way to get clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs set up with Menomonie WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local vet community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Menomonie WI vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Menomonie WI colleges you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Of course, we previously covered location, but there are several more points to make on the topic. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Menomonie WI home, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do choose to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes may be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's essential that you determine if the veterinary schools you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, a number of students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Menomonie WI. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.