Community Team

Now that we are beginning to see some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel and we are settling into a ‘new normal,’ there are many opportunities to take your career in new and exciting directions. While the pandemic gave some people a lot of time for reflection, many in the veterinary world are busier than ever thanks to ‘pandemic puppies,’ staffing changes, and more.  And while many vets thrive on the fast pace, there may be something about going to the same job every day, which is beginning to lose its thrill.  Maybe there are just not enough surprises anymore…or maybe there’s no predictability whatsoever! You don’t need to give up vet med to freshen up your career, and of course, your training doesn’t ever need to stop (they don’t call it continuing education for nothing).  If you’re willing to explore new horizons with an open mind (which could be quite an adventure in its own right), you’ll find a host of interesting and surprising veterinary careers that you may not have considered, or maybe didn’t know existed, or didn’t even exist at all when you started…

So you have successfully started that professional veterinary career you worked so hard to achieve. You expected it would be a tough road getting there, but you persisted and you’ve made it and you are really enjoying being a practicing Veterinary Professional – Veterinarian, Vet Tech, Veterinary Nurse, and more. What you hadn’t anticipated was a pandemic and how it may impact your debt situation – no one could have. You are not alone. And as student loans are now the second-highest consumer debt category almost worldwide, the first being mortgages, here are some essential tips to help you successfully manage your veterinary student debt in these challenging times…

Although the challenges of this global pandemic are by no means behind us, green shoots are beginning to appear and with that, the prospect of starting to look a little further ahead than you may have in a while. And that includes your career. Do you feel your career has stalled during the pandemic? Per the Pulse of the American Worker survey, 26% of workers are planning to switch jobs post-COVID, and 80% are doing so because they’re concerned about career advancement – similar surveys in the UK and Australia reaffirm that this is a global situation. Concerns about skill stagnation, company culture, flexibility and work-life balance are at “top of mind” for many veterinary professionals, stretched far too thin during the past year. So if you are 1 of those 1 in 4 considering a change, here are five key ways you can accelerate your veterinary career now that the masks are starting to come off…

As you approach five years into your career as a veterinarian, it’s time to step back and do some reflection. Take a few moments to carefully consider what you have learned, how your job has impacted your worldview, and how you’ve managed to balance your work responsibilities with social or family obligations. You probably don’t need to be convinced of the importance of self-evaluation. After all, you have been pushing yourself since your pre-vet days. Even as a practicing veterinarian, you likely work hard to keep up with evolving technology and techniques. You may put in long and irregular hours, either at the clinic or at home with your nose in reference books and veterinary journals, all in the continued quest for personal and professional development. Five years into your career, you’ve earned your chops and gained confidence in your work. Now it’s time to take a step back and take a big-picture view. What’s ahead for your career? What are your goals in your personal life? Where do you see yourself five years from now?

In this era of unusual demand and supply for Veterinary team members, if you want the best then it’s time to become a great storyteller. We’re not talking about fibs, stretching the truth or outright lies. What we do mean is that in a market where demand clearly is outstripping supply (at a ratio of more than 1:1) Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Nurses and just about all Veterinary Professionals are being highly selective about choosing their next career step…and it starts with your Message. You have just a few seconds…That’s it. In today’s attention-span-challenged world, if your Job Campaign does not attract, engage and draw readers or viewers into your story in the first few seconds then your audience will just move on…and, having captured their attention, you must keep their interest right to the very end. As for you Job Seekers, knowing your potential new employer’s compelling story is essential to making the right decision. Both of you will find out why and how here…

You have successfully completed your studies and practical skills placements, and gained your Degree or Certification and you are actively networking and applying, and with good interest being shown…but even though there is a recognized shortage of veterinary professionals across all levels, despite popular opinion, you need more than a pulse, a degree and state registration to get your first veterinary job. And then there is a global pandemic causing all kinds of uncertainty. Finding a practice to put your newly acquired skills to work in an entry-level role has always been a challenge, and now even more so, so here are six proven tactics to help you secure your first job as a brand new Veterinarian, Vet Tech or Veterinary Nurse in these challenging times…