IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
What to Ask Vet Tech Programs
By now you should have determined which veterinarian degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Stoughton 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 future students start by concentrating on location and tuition expense. But we have previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to enroll in a program that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the vet tech programs that you are reviewing.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It's important that you confirm that the vet tech program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously discussed, one of the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone an extensive review process that ensures you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not offered for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for many Stoughton WI area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinary trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for endorsements from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include looking on online school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, call some Stoughton WI vet clinics that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The best way to get clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are looking at have internship programs set up with Stoughton WI veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help build relationships in the local veterinary community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To begin with, ask what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate could signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might signify that the school has an exceptional reputation within the Stoughton WI vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you may receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Stoughton WI schools you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You may also want to attend some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their qualifications are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the College Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your vet tech classes from your Stoughton WI home, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, 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 near or in a large city. In addition, if you do decide to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it's important that you find out if the veterinary programs you are considering offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Stoughton WI. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family issues. You may find that an online college is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your busy life.