If you are interested in animal health and welfare you will find that becoming a veterinarian is an interesting and intensely rewarding career. At a young age, children around the world decide to take up this career as they enjoy taking care of animals. There is an inexplicable satisfaction derived when relieving suffering or helping an animal get over their injuries. Since an animal cannot speak or complain it is the job of the vet to find out the cause of the problem through lab tests and other physical examinations.
Here are a few tips that will help you launch out as a budding veterinarian.
1. Graduating from high school and getting a degree
Pass out of high school with good grades in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, Math, Geometry and Trigonometry. You should try to get a 3.0 grade point if not 4.0 to get admission in a vet school. It is advisable to select the college where you plan to join the veterinary school. Since this is a very competitive line, you have to really work hard to qualify as a veterinarian. You will have to get three letters of recommendation from your veterinarian, your academic adviser and any other. The duration of the veterinary program is four years when you earn a degree as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. You start working with animals in the third and fourth year while focusing on clinical studies, research projects or externships.
2. Certification and Licensing
Once you complete four years in a veterinary school, you should get accredited by any one of the schools in the U.S. You can try to get a residency program or internship while you study to get the degree. It is compulsory to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. Each state has their requirements.
3. How to get a job as a veterinarian
The best way to get hands-on training in this department is to volunteer to work in a vet’s office. The other places that you can seek training are with an animal control unit or a local animal shelter. You can work with large animals like sheep, cows and horses or look after pets and other small animals in a private clinic. The other places to seek a job are in aquariums, zoos and parks. Gain experience working in a research lab, private corporation or government. The possibilities are endless as there are a plethora of jobs waiting for the right veterinarian.
Join interested groups and associations or a pet therapy organization for getting maximum knowledge, training and exposure. It is essential to get job experience and document the hours. This will stand you in good stead when you apply for higher salaried jobs in large or small animal veterinary clinics.
4. Job description as a vet
You should be able to enjoy a life time of learning when you interact with animals as well as their owners. A good command of English and communicative skills are required. Maintain a pleasant and positive attitude and be compassionate when talking to owners as most of them care deeply for their pets.
5. Job Outlook for veterinarians
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook is very promising for vets. It will expand faster than average to nearly 33% from the year 2008 to 2018. There are several organizations that look for people with veterinary backgrounds. These include pharmaceutical sales, feed companies, laboratories, academic and military institutions and wildlife agencies. You can earn good money as a corporate vet and work only during business hours. Jobs are also available as an Equine or Wildlife Veterinarian. These jobs may require that you monitor the reproductive health of animals and take x-rays.
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