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 credential that you would like to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of vet community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Wauwatosa WI area and across the Country, you should ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to enroll in a college that offers the specialty and degree that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you should ask the vet tech schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet Program Accredited? It's essential that you make sure that the veterinary technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, one of the most highly regarded 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 important if you are applying for a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Wauwatosa WI area veterinarian clinics and hospitals.
What is the School's Reputation? The veterinarian vocational school or college and program you enroll in should have an excellent reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for testimonials from the employers in their job assistance network. Other pointers include looking on online school ranking websites and speaking with the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wisconsin school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations involving your specific schools. As a final pointer, phone some Wauwatosa WI veterinarians that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even suggest one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective way to obtain clinical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with Wauwatosa WI veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable regarding the practical training, but an internship may also help establish associations in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary technician college can be challenging without the assistance of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are reviewing. A low rate might suggest that the teachers were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may mean that the program has an exceptional reputation within the Wauwatosa WI veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate might indicate that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger, you probably will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Wauwatosa WI schools you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to participate in a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations 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? Okay, we already covered location, but there are several more points to make on the subject. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Wauwatosa WI home, you have to make certain 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, particularly if the school 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 increased tuition costs especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the vet programs you are looking at offer class times flexible enough to accommodate your schedule. For example, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or at night near Wauwatosa WI. Some might only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are offered before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You may discover that an online school is the best way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.