IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
At this point you should have determined which veterinary credential that you wish to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, trade and vocational schools in the Racine WI area as well as across the United States, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we mentioned in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician schools that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's essential that you verify that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 thorough screening process that confirms you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since many programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Racine WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet college or trade school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other tips include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final tip, call some Racine WI veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a medical environment. Find out if the schools you are considering have internship programs arranged with Racine WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable as far as the practical training, but an internship can also help develop associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a job after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A lower rate may signify that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were disappointed with the program and quit. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the school has an outstanding reputation within the Racine WI vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Racine WI schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Yes, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Racine WI home, you must confirm 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, particularly if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to enroll in a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition charges especially for community and state colleges. Of course taking online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's important that you determine if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate 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 Racine WI. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are offered before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family issues. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.