IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Things to Ask Veterinary Technician Schools
At this point you probably have selected which veterinarian degree that you would like to earn, 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 Wausau WI area and across the United States, you should ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our opening, many future students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other significant qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to enroll in a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's imperative that you verify that the veterinary technician school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among 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 demanding screening process that ensures you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Wausau WI area veterinary practices and hospitals.
What is the College's Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the vet community. 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 pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and contacting the school's accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations concerning your specific schools. As a final tip, phone some Wausau WI vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend one or more programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a medical setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs arranged with Wausau WI veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and a large number provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help build associations in the local vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate could indicate that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that a number of students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate could indicate that the school has an excellent reputation within the Wausau WI veterinarian community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Wausau WI programs you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the College Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary technician classes from your Wausau WI home, you must make sure that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won't be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located in or close by a large city. Also, if you do choose to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. Of course attending online classes could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it's essential that you find out if the veterinarian schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, a number of students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Wausau WI. Some may only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online school is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your busy life.