Veterinary medicine degree not only qualifies graduates for working as a vet in a clinical set up, but also allows them to join almost any role in a wide range of industries starting from wildlife conservation, public health, government veterinary services, charity work, animal welcome etc. Veterinarians can work alone in private clinics or in larger set ups. The job opportunities for veterinary medicine graduates are limitless. If you want a career in this field and want to understand vet school curriculum, you are at the right place.
What are the job options for veterinary medicine graduates?
If a candidate is searching for a role that is straight out related to the degree, they could work as
- Animal nutritionist
- Veterinary surgeon
Industries where a degree in veterinary medicine will be useful include –
- Medical research scientist
- Ecologist
- Higher educational teaching positions
- Research scientist for life sciences
- Zoologist
- Nature conservation office
- Government environment consultant
There could also be employees who accept applications from graduates without a particular degree in a certain subject. Do not restrict your job search only to the above recommended list, but also wherever applicable.
Skills required as veterinarians
As a vocational degree, veterinary medicine equips you with the knowledge and skills that qualify you to work as a vet straight after graduation. The degree covers all aspects of animal health and disease, as well as the legal, environmental and ethical issues relating to animal welfare and public health. You also learn the relevant business and communication skills related to running a vet practice.
Veterinarians also develop several other skills that are highly regarded in the medical fraternity. For instance –
- The ability to care genuinely
- Problem-solving capacity
- Decisiveness
- Excellent verbal and writing skills
- Ability to analyse situations and evaluate information
- Self-initiative and driven by motivation
- Great time-management skills
- Teamwork skills and interpersonal abilities
Who are the typical employers of vets?
Most vets do veterinary practices either in private or work with a larger setting like animal hospitals etc. mixed practices allow doctors such an extent of experience that many vets opt to care for different groups of animals – zoo or wildlife, exotic animals, horses, small to big farm animals.
Veterinarians have ample opportunities in the government as well. Different departments like DEFRA or the Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs employ veterinarians in research, policy sectors, and operational work. Many also work with agencies such as the FSA or Food Standards Agency, APHA or the Animal and Plant Health Agency, VMD or the Veterinary Medicine Directorate, or any other welcome communities or agencies.
Some veterinarians find opportunities in animal welfare charities (ex, Blue Cross, RSPCA, or PDSA) while some work in zoos and wildlife conservation NGOs and organisations. Many veterinarians also choose academics and go for teaching and research in colleges, universities, and even the pharma industry.
Further Education
Many vet school graduates move on to do further studies and earn degrees like a postgraduate study in an area of speciality which could be anything – equine medicine, emergency surgery etc. These specialities can help vets move on into more specialist job roles like a veterinary cardiologist.
Now that you know all about veterinary medicine graduates, enroll in a program today and get started.
