3 answers
Callie
Student
Marion, Louisiana
1
Question
Updated
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How do I achieve getting a jumpstart in my career?
I’ll be starting college soon going into animal science specifically veterinary medicine concentration. How do I take that first step after graduating?
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3 answers
Mary Jane Shroyer
Director of Health Professions Career Community
116
Answers
Grinnell, Iowa
Updated
Mary Jane’s Answer
Congratulations on your graduation, Callie! My recommendations for getting started on the right foot:
1) If you haven't already started getting some animal experience, think about using this summer to explore the veterinary medicine profession. This could mean volunteering at an animal shelter or wildlife rehab center, working for a vet or horse stables, and/or shadowing various staff in a veterinary clinic or emergency hospital. Make a plan to get exposure to a variety of species over the next 4 years because if your goal is to become a veterinarian, the vet schools appreciate seeing some large animal and exotics experience in addition to cats/dogs.
2) Keep an eye out for any information from your college about pre-health or pre-vet advising. Ask older students if you can't find the advisor who works with students interested in your professional goals. That person will help you make a plan to complete your coursework and get the experiences you need to be successful after college -- whether that's going directly into the workforce or going on for another degree. Try to connect in your first semester with the pre-health/vet advising office if possible.
3) This is going to sound ridiculous, but around November start thinking about what you might like to do next summer. There are a lot of programs for students interested in vet med or research and they often have application deadlines in January/February. If you start looking for programs, internships, research, etc. in late fall, you can be working on the application essays over your December break and come back to campus with drafts to show your pre-health advisor. You'll be less stressed trying to meet application deadlines while juggling class assignments. Again, ask older students what they've done over their summers, talk to faculty about summer opportunities, and check in with your career center to see if they have resources for internship hunting. Keep your eyes and ears open this fall for exciting opportunities you'd like to pursue!
4) Last, do not ever be afraid to ask for help in college. There are many many offices dedicated to student success at most schools. Whether you need tutoring, help with study skills or time management, mental health support, academic advising and planning, or career advising, there is almost always someone on campus whose job it is to support you to be the most successful student you can be. Don't be embarrassed to ask questions or to reach out to staff members and faculty if you are struggling with any aspect of adapting to college. We can direct you to the proper individual/office to support you. Lots of students have a rocky transition the first year but once things click, they go on to do amazing things. Lots of people have your back! You got this!
1) If you haven't already started getting some animal experience, think about using this summer to explore the veterinary medicine profession. This could mean volunteering at an animal shelter or wildlife rehab center, working for a vet or horse stables, and/or shadowing various staff in a veterinary clinic or emergency hospital. Make a plan to get exposure to a variety of species over the next 4 years because if your goal is to become a veterinarian, the vet schools appreciate seeing some large animal and exotics experience in addition to cats/dogs.
2) Keep an eye out for any information from your college about pre-health or pre-vet advising. Ask older students if you can't find the advisor who works with students interested in your professional goals. That person will help you make a plan to complete your coursework and get the experiences you need to be successful after college -- whether that's going directly into the workforce or going on for another degree. Try to connect in your first semester with the pre-health/vet advising office if possible.
3) This is going to sound ridiculous, but around November start thinking about what you might like to do next summer. There are a lot of programs for students interested in vet med or research and they often have application deadlines in January/February. If you start looking for programs, internships, research, etc. in late fall, you can be working on the application essays over your December break and come back to campus with drafts to show your pre-health advisor. You'll be less stressed trying to meet application deadlines while juggling class assignments. Again, ask older students what they've done over their summers, talk to faculty about summer opportunities, and check in with your career center to see if they have resources for internship hunting. Keep your eyes and ears open this fall for exciting opportunities you'd like to pursue!
4) Last, do not ever be afraid to ask for help in college. There are many many offices dedicated to student success at most schools. Whether you need tutoring, help with study skills or time management, mental health support, academic advising and planning, or career advising, there is almost always someone on campus whose job it is to support you to be the most successful student you can be. Don't be embarrassed to ask questions or to reach out to staff members and faculty if you are struggling with any aspect of adapting to college. We can direct you to the proper individual/office to support you. Lots of students have a rocky transition the first year but once things click, they go on to do amazing things. Lots of people have your back! You got this!
Tyler Campbell
Inventory and Event Specialist
2
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Tyler’s Answer
Hi Callie!
I find that when attempting to get a jump start on a career, you are in the best position as you are about to begin College and can easily build the network you need to excel. Most jobs, no matter the field, are more than just the knowledge you have or are able to learn in schooling. If you will be studying your specialty, your professors are a fantastic resource and you should be leveraging those relationships to make connections with others in the industry! The saying "It isn't what you know, it is who you know" has some truth to it. In order to get your foot in the door, having connections is crucial, after that has been done, then your knowledge will carry you where you need to go. The hardest part is getting started, and you will need people on your side in order to really set yourself up for success in that regard. As someone who is about to begin their college journey, you are in a great spot to set yourself up so that when graduation does come around, you will already have options!
I wish you the best in your College Journey!
I find that when attempting to get a jump start on a career, you are in the best position as you are about to begin College and can easily build the network you need to excel. Most jobs, no matter the field, are more than just the knowledge you have or are able to learn in schooling. If you will be studying your specialty, your professors are a fantastic resource and you should be leveraging those relationships to make connections with others in the industry! The saying "It isn't what you know, it is who you know" has some truth to it. In order to get your foot in the door, having connections is crucial, after that has been done, then your knowledge will carry you where you need to go. The hardest part is getting started, and you will need people on your side in order to really set yourself up for success in that regard. As someone who is about to begin their college journey, you are in a great spot to set yourself up so that when graduation does come around, you will already have options!
I wish you the best in your College Journey!
Michael Holzhauser-Alberti
Veterinarian
31
Answers
Urbana, Illinois
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi, Callie, thanks for your question. I don't know if I'm the best qualified to answer it (It's been a while since I graduated), but let me give it a try, please. I think it's a good idea to get started thinking about your career as you apply for schools and while you finish your degree. With the advent of professional social media platforms, like LinkedIn, newly graduated veterinarians are already on LinkedIn for a while and have connections that are part of their network. Good. I sometimes wish I had more contact with my former veterinarian and other professors; perhaps starting on LinkedIn would have facilitated that. All that being said, I believe the best jump start to your career is to focus on acquiring the fundamentals. Hone and perfect your organizational skills. Learn when you perform best during the day and schedule your most difficult reviewing tasks for that time. Maybe you already have many of those skills, then know that these skills will serve you all your life. In particular, if you start as a veterinarian with one career, but end up transitioning to something else, well, these skills will be transportable and transposable. You might start one career, but end up doing different things with your professional life. It's the case for many people, veterinarians or not. So use those so called 'soft' skills as a stepping stone.