Preveterinary Work ExperienceMost veterinary schools recommend having some form of preveterinary work experience prior to applying. Whether it be a declared number of weeks in specific areas or whether it is more general, to express a knowledge and understanding of the career you are letting yourself in for. Check before applying.
The best way to get preveterinary work experience is to either write to or visit your local vets, and ask politely to observe or offer your services cleaning kennels (someone who is willing to get their hands dirty is always greatly appreciated). Visit your local farmer and ask to lend a helping hand on the farm, particularly in lambing/calving season. In the UK, this is around late January/early Feb, up until March. The farms vary depending on number, as some like to divide their lot in half to prevent a sudden massive influx of lambs springing around in an uncontrollable surge. Therefore some will lamb end of January, and the second lot in March. Show dedication and enthusiasm, don’t begrudgingly carry out a task, and most of all don’t complain about it, it is all work experience guiding your future. Here are some hints and Tips for getting the best work experience you can. Make sure your application to vet school is not passed by! Show your determination and perserverance by excelling yourself and starting as you mean to go on! Don't end up kicking yourself because you didnt do your best! 1. Go to a Private-Practice.
Call your local veterinarian, let them know you are interested in becoming a veterinarian, and ask for permission to shadow the vet during working hours. From this preveterinary experience you will observe what the veterinarian does on a day to day basis, how they organize their working day with their personal lives, and what brings pleasure to the veterinarian. What makes the veterinarian want to be a vet. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, why they wanted to be a vet, whats the best and worst parts of the job, how they cope with the hours, emergencies, on call hours. What their experiences were at vet school and any difficulties you can learn from. 2. Visit a Public Practice. Such as DEFRA (UK), or USDA (USA). Veterinarians also take part in local, government and state agencies associated with animal welfare. There are also Zoo’s, animal parks. The veterinarians role here involves animal disease control, animal welfare conditions and management, meat hygiene and education for those working with animals.
3. Research Experience Without biomedical research veterinary medicine would be non existent. It’s important to acknowledge this and show you have an understanding of the importance of laboratory medicine and research. Preveterinary Students may be able to participate in summer programmes where they learn how research is conducted, methods, results and interpretation. Along with techniques, experience with laboratory or research animals, you will learn about other possibilities for a veterinary career. Approach large paharnaceutical companies, and look up options near you online. There are programmes currently at the University of Cambridge Veterinary faculty for summer students to learn about research, providing you a have a background knowledge in Science. In the US, try contacting the Merck Merial company and asking for experience. The Merck Merial company organize summer programmes for veterinary students, as they acknowledge the importance of veterinary student education. At some universities course credit is awarded for taking part in a research project during an undergraduate degree. Decide and research what interests you, then contact your tutor about who to approach in this area of interest.
4. Animal Experience Let me tell you, working with animals prior to vet school is a big advantage! Fear is normally due to unfamiliarity. A little fear and self preservation is normal, but not being able to approach an animal will not help you in your practical sessions at vet school. At vet school you will be taught handling and restraint, but you will have a limited amount of practical experience because you will be in a group, and everybody has to have a go. My advice would be to approach local farmers or animal organisations and ask politely if you can assist with basic husbandry, or at least observe until you feel confident to interact. Everybody has preferences- you may not want to become a farm vet- but if you chose to work in a mixed practice upon graduation you will need to know how to handle these animals and look confident doing it! The same applies for all species. This way you will discover your challenges and abilities and learn respect for all animals. Look around your local area for stables, farms and animal shelters. This is invaluable preveterinary work experience.
5. Community and sports participation. Veterinary Admissions staff like to see a well rounded individual who can confidently interact with people and work as a team as well as individually. Join a team sport if you can, take part in community work, it needn’t be veterinary related. Community service activities show a desire to contribute to society.
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