Veterinarian Careers Information

Veterinarian Careers Information

Veterinarians, of course, treat your family pet when it gets sick or injured. However, as professionals, they do a lot more than that. Some veterinarians work on farms, caring for livestock and preventing disease. Others work at zoos, circuses, and other attractions. Still other veterinarians work in laboratories researching various animal medical conditions and treatments.
Some research veterinarians also participate in work that is controversial; many medical treatments are first tested on live animal subjects. A small percentage of veterinarians work as inspectors, helping to protect the nation’s food supply. Of course, the vast number of veterinarians work with small residential animals like your dog or cat. Duties can include vaccinating pets against disease, treating medical conditions, performing surgery, and treating injuries.
Veterinarian Careers Path

Like medical students, veterinarians are expected to complete a set of prerequisite courses as part of their undergraduate education. Like pre-med coursework, pre-veterinary coursework involves and emphasis on biology, anatomy, chemistry, zoology, and other courses related to veterinary science. Once a prospective veterinarian has completed a Bachelor’s degree, they must enroll in a four-year, graduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) program. These programs can be very difficult to gain admission in to, and many require both the GRE and the VCAT-the Veterinary College Admission Test. A few schools accept or require the MCAT as well. At an accredited veterinary program, students learn the specifics of the practice of veterinary medicine, both in the classroom and in clinical settings.
During their education (usually a few months before graduation) but before practicing, veterinary students must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. Following graduation, aspiring veterinarians usually embark upon a one-year internship at a practicing Veterinary office, similar to the internship undergone by recent medical school graduates. Finally, veterinarians do a three- to four-year residency program, usually specializing in a particular kind of veterinary medicine.
Veterinarian Careers: Compatible Personality Traits

Caring, patient, sensitive, careful, knowledgeable, steady, dependable, loving, focused, handy, animal-loving.
Veterinarian Careers: Salary Expectations

According to the Department of Labor, the median annual salary for veterinarians is $82,040. While this pay rate is not as high as that received by doctors, many veterinarians see their lifestyle and working hours as far less hectic and stressful than their counterparts in “human medicine.” Benefits and salary growth are very competitive.
Veterinarian Careers: Job Outlook

The Department of Labor expects phenomenal job growth — 36% — in veterinary medicine by 2020. As veterinary science has progressed rapidly in recent years, the amount and quality of care available in particular to pets has increased dramatically. As a result, the veterinary industry is seeing very strong growth, and will need more workers to keep pace.