Searching for vet career options

What are my career options?

Are you wondering what to do next? Why not take some time to look at your options?

To follow are a few ideas:

Further study
If you are enjoying your job but feel like extending yourself, further study could be for you. Choose a course that is in line with your career plan. There are many organisations offering good quality postgraduate study courses that are designed for vets who are working full time. Why do extra study? With the skills and knowledge you acquire, you are likely to get more job satisfaction. You may also make yourself more employable.

Locum work in Australia
There are many advantages of locum work. The pay rate and flexible nature of the work allows for working holidays, time off for study and income between permanent jobs. Vets with two or more years’ experience are in strong demand.

Dairy Vet Jobs in New Zealand
Vets with two or more years of mixed practice experience are required for dairy work. You don’t need dairy experience, just some cattle experience and a desire to learn. The practices tend to be large and well organised and located in beautiful areas of the country.

Mixed Practice Jobs in New Zealand
Genuinely mixed jobs are available in NZ. Some vacancies offer a diverse caseload which includes working dogs, horses, cattle (beef and dairy), deer and sheep.  With a decreasing number of mixed practices in many countries this is a wonderful opportunity to get some really good experience and enjoy all New Zealand has to offer.

Government roles
There are a variety of positions on offer, including import and export inspection, food hygiene, creating and maintaining export markets and biosecurity. Training is provided, and there are good career prospects. Some positions offer overseas travel.

Industry
Animal Health Companies employ vets in a variety of roles including technical positions, research and development, education and training, regulatory affairs and sales. Benefits may include very reasonable working hours, career advancement, education and training and a generous salary package.

Emergency work
The demand for emergency vets is very strong. In general, the roles are in high quality modern facilities and often attached to specialist centres. Emergency work offers a variety of cases that may not be commonly seen in practice.

Work in a very high-quality practice
Being surrounded by excellent vets and vet nurses in a high-quality facility is a good way to increase your skills and knowledge. Many of these practices strongly encourage and support continuing education and offer in-house training.

The United Kingdom
The UK has much to offer. As well as working in a variety of good quality practices you can very cheaply explore Europe and other destinations. Many jobs provide accommodation and a car.

Acquire business knowledge
If you are thinking of buying a practice at some stage, why not start preparing now? It may be helpful to research staff management and engagement, accounting, stock control and so on. Why not join a practice management group?

Last Updated: July 2024

DISCLAIMER: The above information is for guidance purposes only. Vetlink takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, which is not intended as advice.