IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinarian community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the New Berlin WI area as well as across the Country, you should ask some important questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as accreditation and internship programs. And of course you want to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other factors are covered in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It's imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose 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 gone through a rigorous review process that confirms you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for a number of New Berlin WI area veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include checking with internet school ranking websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any complaints or violations regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, call some New Berlin WI veterinarians that you may want to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even suggest one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best means to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with New Berlin WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and many furnish it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop relationships in the local veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate might indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may signify that the school has an outstanding reputation within the New Berlin WI veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may mean that the training is not well thought of 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 most likely will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the New Berlin WI schools you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You may also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we already talked about location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your New Berlin WI home, you have to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the school is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to enroll in a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an option that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near New Berlin WI. Others may only be able to attend class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are offered prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You may discover that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.