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What step do you need to take to have a successful veterinary career

#veterinary #veterinarian #career-choice #animal-health

veterinarian veterinary animal-health
Thank you comment icon Try to volunteer at a veterinary hospital to see how things work. There is a high rate of burnout and suicide in our profession currently which I'm hoping will change. You definitely need to LOVE school - 4 years of college and 4 years of vet school is a long time! Michelle L. Lee, DVM
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Elizabeth F’s Answer

Hello Chloe!

The biggest step is obviously to get i to and then through veterinary school. Leading up to that, successfully completing the prerequisite college courses is important. Ideally you can attend a college that is a good fit for you, affordable, and that offers the classes that you need for vet school admission, as well as other classes that interest you.

Also important is gaining experience in the veterinary field - ideally in several different aspects of the profession- there are many different jobs within the profession.

People skills like communication are really important too - you will need to explain to animal caretakers what is wrong, how you will diagnose it, and what to do about it. Many veterinary schools require writing and public speaking courses. If you are involved in team sports, community activities, charities, or work in a people-facing job, you can highlight that as well.

Once you have gotten through vet school, it is important to explore all the various aspects of the profession and figure out which job is right for you.

Be sure to advocate for yourself, and find the right fit. Your first job might not be your best/permanent job.

Elizabeth F recommends the following next steps:

Check out the AAVMC pre-vet info: https://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/what-to-know-before-you-apply/pre-vet-student-resources/
Talk to veterinarians in different areas of practice, even non-clinical if you can.
Work with your school counselors and advisors to make sure that the schools you consider are good fits for you.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for giving me advice. Adrian
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Anastasia’s Answer

I have no real experience in this field BUT, I did work at a pet hospital once. The hospital is actually inside of PetsMart. I worked as the front office coordinator for about a year and learned a lot in the process. It was a full functioning vet hospital that serviced almost any animal that you can think of; birds, dogs, ferrets, and so much more. If you haven't considered it, this might actually be a good way to get some experience as to what it would be like to work in a pet hospital. You'd even get to see the different roles of the doctors, nurses, and people that they partner with for different services -- like cremations. Hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Anastasia for the advice. Chloe
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Adrian
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Chloe,

Pursue a Veterinary Degree

Kickstart your journey towards a rewarding veterinary career by securing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from a recognized veterinary school. Be aware that entry into these programs is quite competitive and usually requires a bachelor’s degree with a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and physics.

Acquire Clinical Experience

Boost your skills and knowledge by gaining clinical experience. This can be achieved through internships, volunteer work, or employment in a veterinary clinic or hospital. Such hands-on experience is invaluable, offering exposure to a variety of animal species, medical conditions, and treatment methods.

Select a Veterinary Specialty

While some veterinarians opt to be general practitioners, many choose to specialize in a specific field of veterinary medicine. Here are some options:

Small Animal Medicine: Specialize in treating pets like dogs, cats, and exotic animals.
Large Animal Medicine: Focus on the health of farm animals such as cattle, horses, and pigs.
Equine Medicine: Concentrate on horse healthcare.
Avian Medicine: Cater to the health needs of birds, both pet and wild.
Exotic Animal Medicine: Deal with the treatment of unconventional pets like reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.
Laboratory Animal Medicine: Provide care for animals used in research facilities.
Food Animal Medicine: Ensure the health of animals raised for food production.
Aquatic Animal Medicine: Take care of fish, marine mammals, and other aquatic creatures.
Veterinary Pathology: Diagnose diseases by examining animal tissues and fluids.
Veterinary Radiology: Use imaging techniques like X-rays and MRIs to diagnose and monitor animal health conditions.
Veterinary Surgery: Perform surgical procedures on animals.
Veterinary Public Health: Work on preventing and controlling diseases that can affect both animals and humans.
Veterinary Behavior: Understand and address behavioral issues in animals.
Veterinary Nutrition: Develop proper diets and nutrition plans for animals with various medical conditions or specific nutritional needs.

There are numerous other specialties that you can consider, including Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, Toxicology, Virology, Bacteriology, Parasitology, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Anesthesiology, Emergency & Critical Care, Zoological Medicine, Conservation Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Neurology, Cardiology, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Preventive Medicine, Wildlife Population Health Management, One Health, Aquaculture, Marine Mammal Medicine, Forensic Veterinary Science, Wildlife Forensics, Zoonotic Diseases, Epidemiology, Laboratory Animal Science, Exotic Pets, Avian Medicine, Production Animal Medicine, Equine Reproduction, Theriogenology, Food Hygiene & Safety, Public Health, One Health Policy, Comparative Pathology, Genetics & Genomics, Nutritional Epidemiology, and Comparative Medicine.

May God bless your journey!
James Constantine Frangos.
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