IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Colleges
By now you should have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Monroe WI area and across the USA, you must ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 a thorough screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for many Monroe WI area vet clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or trade school and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting 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 targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Monroe WI veterinarians that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think of your school choices. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have internship programs established with Monroe WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship may also help build associations in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate may suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Monroe WI veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could indicate that the training is not well 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 one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Monroe WI programs you are considering what their class student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Monroe WI home, you must make certain that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, particularly if the campus is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's important that you find out if the veterinarian programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night near Monroe WI. Some may only be able to attend class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies. You might find that an online college is the best solution to fit your vet training into your active life.