IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR VET TECH CAREER BELOW
Questions to Ask Veterinary Technician Programs
By now you probably have decided on which veterinary degree that you want to attain, and if you intend to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Casper WY area as well as across the Country, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our introduction, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And of course you need to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you are interested in. These and other qualifications are addressed in the list of questions that you need to ask the vet tech colleges that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It's important that you verify that the vet tech school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier discussed, 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 confirms you will obtain 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 schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Casper WY area vet practices and hospitals.
What is the Program's Reputation? The vet trade school or college and program you choose should have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for endorsements from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with online school rating websites and contacting the school's accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Wyoming school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions relating to your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Casper WY veterinarians that you might want to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech is to work in a clinical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs set up with Casper WY veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number furnish it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be valuable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Placement Program? Getting a job after graduating from a veterinary technician school can 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 may signify that the instructors were unqualified to teach 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 higher placement rate may mean that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Casper WY vet community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might signify that the training is not highly thought of by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger sized, you probably will get little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Casper WY colleges you are researching what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also decide to participate in a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between teachers and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the topic. If you are going to commute to your vet tech classes from your Casper WY home, you must confirm that the commuting time is compatible with 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 larger city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking online classes might be an option that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important that you find out if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Casper WY. Some might only be able to go to classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you may miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You may find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your veterinary training into your active life.