IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Vet Tech Colleges
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinary community colleges, vocational and trade schools in the Watertown WI area and across the USA, you must ask some relevant questions to help narrow down 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 previously pointed out other important qualifiers, for instance internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to enroll in a school that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech programs that you are considering.
Is the Vet School Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech college you select 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 demanding screening 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 obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for many Watertown WI area veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on internet school rating websites and checking with the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions regarding your specific schools. As a final suggestion, get in touch with some Watertown WI veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have internship programs established with Watertown WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable regarding the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local veterinary community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician program may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate might indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate might indicate that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Watertown WI veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Watertown WI programs you are looking at what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Watertown WI home, you have to confirm that the driving time fits into your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the campus is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt 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. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And finally, it's imperative that you determine if the veterinary colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Watertown WI. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you need are available prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to sickness, work or family issues. You may discover that an online program is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your hectic life.