Current issues in Veterinary Medicine

[Aninha]

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Hey!

Anyone has ideas about current issues they may ask about in an interview??
(equine people --> current issues in equine med??)

 

[Sassygirl]

I would look at the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Read up on the AAEP and the AVMA's stand on it.

 

[thereservoirdog]

I would look at the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Read up on the AAEP and the AVMA's stand on it.

they really expect you to know about things like that? What if you don't know about an issue as specific as that? I thought they would just ask general questions to get an idea of what your morals are.

 

[EqSx83]

I know other people who were asked their opionions about not only the Equine Slaughter Act but also on issues like BSE and FMD (even tho they aren't equine specific). I've been told that it's partially b/c the want to see if you have knowledge about current events and also to see what kind of knowlege base you have about the general field you are entering into. Its ok to say you don't know if you honestly don't - they would rather you did that then try to flub you way through it...

Also - I've also known large animal/food animal people be asked general questions about dogs and cats... so I guess be prepared for anything if you can.

 

[Aninha]

they really expect you to know about things like that? What if you don't know about an issue as specific as that? I thought they would just ask general questions to get an idea of what your morals are.

well it depends...they may ask something general...but if they want to be picky...they certainly can...especially if you tell them you want to go to "X" field...they probably will ask you a question specific about "X" subject...so it just helps to be prepared! if you're an equine person, the slaughter act is something relevant to your field and you should know about it. I think they want to know that you're an up-to-date person than cares about what's going on in vet. medicine...that's what I think...but...who knows, right...

 

[sisiut1]

they really expect you to know about things like that? What if you don't know about an issue as specific as that? I thought they would just ask general questions to get an idea of what your morals are.

I was asked about horse slaughter in one of my interviews and my interest is in wildlife medicine, so be prepared for anything. I was also asked about the role of a vet in every step of the food animal process from farm to consumer. I knew little about both of these things so I don't think that interview went very well...

 

[youthman]

^^so what was your response like? did you just say "I don't know?" I have a feeling I'll be saying that a lot!!

 

[Aninha]

I was asked about horse slaughter in one of my interviews and my interest is in wildlife medicine, so be prepared for anything. I was also asked about the role of a vet in every step of the food animal process from farm to consumer. I knew little about both of these things so I don't think that interview went very well...

did they really ask you about food animal? did you show any interest in that field? I guess they just wanted to know if you know that the roles of a vet are not only treating animals but also ensuring food safety, human health, etc...I think they really want you to understand that Veterinary medicine is not only about animals...but actually more about humans than we think...

 

[Aninha]

^^so what was your response like? did you just say "I don't know?" I have a feeling I'll be saying that a lot!!

just say that you would have to have more information on the subject/do some research about the issue in order to make an informed statement....it's just a fancier "i don't know" I guess...😀
i don't know if saying that you'll look it up after the interview helps....you won't answer the question but at least you'll show that you're interested in learning about things you don't know...
the truth is...I'm really scared of not having anything to say (especially if they ask 2 or more questions in a row that i can't answer..)...can you imagine how uncomfortable the silence will be...while you try to figure out what to say...everybody looking at you...ugh!

 

[sisiut1]

I think one of the reasons I got food animal questions was that the interviewer asking the questions was in the field of food animal medicine. For both questions I started off with "I don't know much about this issue..." and then talked generally. Like for the slaughter question I talked about the difficulty of finding placements for unwated horses and for the role of the vet in food animal medicine I mentioned herd health, food safety, and consumer confidence, but they seemed to be looking for a much more informative and detailed answer than what I gave.

 

[kate_g]

I was asked about horse slaughter in one of my interviews and my interest is in wildlife medicine,

What to do with excess mustangs and other wild horses is definitely a conservation-related issue. Doesn't seem like a too off-the-wall question for your stated interests.

Also, resevoirdog, they might not ask you a question specifically about that act, but how you feel about slaughtering horses seems to be a popular topic (guess because it's emotionally laden for a lot of people). And if in your answer *you* can refer to something very specific and up-to-date, you look like a star instead of blathering generalities about necessary evil...

 

[seaturtlegirl]

I was also asked a food animal question, though this wasn't my specified area of interest. "Describe the process in which a steak ends up on your plate, starting with the calf." I said that I wasn't entirely sure, then tried to come up with something basic!!!

I know of other people who were asked about the horse slaughter issue, and do not have equine interest. I think it is almost random, though the questions I was asked were by someone involved with food animals. Hopefully saying "I don't know" is OK. Still, it never hurts to have some general knowledge on any topic people have been asked about in this forum!

 

[conservationgal]

The best thing one can do to prepare for such questions, as well as many other ethical and situational questions, is to take an hour and just read through the whole AVMA website - current news, policies, etc. This should help out a lot!

 

[Bill59]

Also take a look at recent JAVMA issues in the Letters to the Editor, to find out issues veterinarians are discussing these days.