Los Angeles veterinary job??

[runseen]

Hi! I'm currently in my last year of my undergrad and I really really need to get some more veterinary experience in a clinic/somewhere I will be able to work with a veterinarian. I've volunteered in another clinic and a humane society before, but didn't get to spend much time with the veterinarians there...and so I do not have anyone to ask for a letter of rec from. Scream.

Anyways, I've been applying to a bunch of job postings I've seen online, and calling local clinics, but I haven't had any luck yet. Does anyone have any tips or better yet, specific openings in the Los Angeles area? Thanks....


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[pirateyoho]

Are you looking specifically for a paid job? Sometimes it's easier to get your foot in the door if you offer yourself up as a volunteer or a shadow. However, I do see that you mentioned getting some volunteer experience at a previous clinic and not getting to work much with the vets. Perhaps try asking for a shadowing position? It gets you close to vets and gives you an opportunity to get to know them. They'll probably offer some good advice for getting hired in the area, as well.

 

[devyn]

You cannot get a job as a vet tech in LA without teching experience... that is just the reality. They either want a vet tech degree or previous experience as a tech. Your best bet is to apply as either a receptionist or a kennel tech and work your way up within a clinic.

If all you are looking for is experience for your vet med apps and a letter of rec then your best bet is to volunteer at a clinic or shadow a vet.

 

[VacaMeansCow]

Hey runseen,

. I know how hard it is to find some shadow time with vets when you aren't working for them. My advice is to start calling and emailing as many veterinary specialists as possible and then call and email again. I have worked for GPs before and they are simply too busy to even think about having someone follow them around. Specialists, although they are also busy, may have a bit more breathing room and more of an inclination to teach. I think you will find some specialists who are willing to take on a vet school hopeful.

What area of LA are you in?

 

[jMendez86]

Hi! I'm currently in my last year of my undergrad and I really really need to get some more veterinary experience in a clinic/somewhere I will be able to work with a veterinarian. I've volunteered in another clinic and a humane society before, but didn't get to spend much time with the veterinarians there...and so I do not have anyone to ask for a letter of rec from. Scream.

Anyways, I've been applying to a bunch of job postings I've seen online, and calling local clinics, but I haven't had any luck yet. Does anyone have any tips or better yet, specific openings in the Los Angeles area? Thanks....


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If you are looking for some job experience, I recommend you go to an online job search company. Granted.com was the best option I found. When I was looking for work, granted.com gave me tons of options. I had access to jobs that I wasn't even aware of. When I was going to my school counselor, she didn't have much information for me when I was looking for work. I thought there was a lot more information available out there. I incredibly mistaken, once I realized that every job search company was just out to try send me a bunch of spam. I was getting nothing but spam from hundreds of other companies. If you're looking to get experience in LA, I recommend granted.com for finding jobs in Los Angeles.

 

[happykitty1005]

Walk in to as many hospitals as possible and drop off your resume. Ask to speak with the manager and follow up with a phone call. That's what I did when I moved to LA and within a month I was hired.

 

[Lupin21]

Glendale Small Animal Hospital is good about taking on shadowers, or they were a couple years ago.

 

[kayed12]

Hello everyone, I notice this forum is kind of old but hopefully, someone may still be on. I am from Los Angeles and applying (first time) this round! YAY! The weakest part of my application would have to be the variety of experience. Living in Los Angeles it is hard to get a variety when most of the things around us are small animal/shelter/private practice. Anyone know of any spots to volunteer in exotics/equine/marine/feed animal in the area? I have called and emailed so many equine vets.. Have not heard back from any. I am getting nervous to apply with an application full of small animal/shelter/ minimal wildlife experience.

 

[Bottle of Bear]

Hello everyone, I notice this forum is kind of old but hopefully, someone may still be on. I am from Los Angeles and applying (first time) this round! YAY! The weakest part of my application would have to be the variety of experience. Living in Los Angeles it is hard to get a variety when most of the things around us are small animal/shelter/private practice. Anyone know of any spots to volunteer in exotics/equine/marine/feed animal in the area? I have called and emailed so many equine vets.. Have not heard back from any. I am getting nervous to apply with an application full of small animal/shelter/ minimal wildlife experience.

Depends on which part of the city you live in I'd imagine, (also, be persistent but not obnoxious with the places who haven't gotten back to you). Maybe see if the places you've worked at know any of those other vets and can put in a good word for you/can get in touch with their colleagues who may know of opportunities in those areas). Until then keep making the most of your experiences. Good luck

 

[kayed12]

Depends on which part of the city you live in I'd imagine, (also, be persistent but not obnoxious with the places who haven't gotten back to you). Maybe see if the places you've worked at know any of those other vets and can put in a good word for you/can get in touch with their colleagues who may know of opportunities in those areas). Until then keep making the most of your experiences. Good luck

Thank you for your advice! I live near the Pasadena area.

 

[Lupin21]

Hello everyone, I notice this forum is kind of old but hopefully, someone may still be on. I am from Los Angeles and applying (first time) this round! YAY! The weakest part of my application would have to be the variety of experience. Living in Los Angeles it is hard to get a variety when most of the things around us are small animal/shelter/private practice. Anyone know of any spots to volunteer in exotics/equine/marine/feed animal in the area? I have called and emailed so many equine vets.. Have not heard back from any. I am getting nervous to apply with an application full of small animal/shelter/ minimal wildlife experience.

Check with California wildlife center. I was a volunteer there and got excellent experience both in general wildlife handling and shadowing the vet when he was there.

 

[kayed12]

Check with California wildlife center. I was a volunteer there and got excellent experience both in general wildlife handling and shadowing the vet when he was there.

Thank you! I was looking into that organization! Only downside is the drive... about an hour away from me.

 

[Lab Vet]

Hello everyone, I notice this forum is kind of old but hopefully, someone may still be on. I am from Los Angeles and applying (first time) this round! YAY! The weakest part of my application would have to be the variety of experience. Living in Los Angeles it is hard to get a variety when most of the things around us are small animal/shelter/private practice. Anyone know of any spots to volunteer in exotics/equine/marine/feed animal in the area? I have called and emailed so many equine vets.. Have not heard back from any. I am getting nervous to apply with an application full of small animal/shelter/ minimal wildlife experience.

I volunteered on weekends at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach while completing my graduate training at UCI in Orange County. The drive was a bear, but I did get excellent experience working with various marine mammals (sea otters, sea lions, and harbor seals). More of a husbandry appointment than veterinary, but you will rub shoulders with all sorts of staff while volunteering. One caveat- the organization is very uptight about the time commitment (i.e. your volunteer position is treated as if you were a full-time employee). When I ran into an unexpected crisis with my own research colony of animals (many animals needed extensive veterinary care- 7 days a week), Aquarium of the Pacific was very rigid and not sympathetic that I had actual employment commitments external to my volunteer commitment with their organization. Regretfully, I had to resign as a volunteer- although would very much have loved to return to my duties once said crisis had passed. They expect a lot of investment. Worth it, if you can swing the travel and time- but beware the lack of flexibility. Aquarium of the Pacific | Volunteer | Adult Volunteering

 

[kayed12]

I volunteered on weekends at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach while completing my graduate training at UCI in Orange County. The drive was a bear, but I did get excellent experience working with various marine mammals (sea otters, sea lions, and harbor seals). More of a husbandry appointment than veterinary, but you will rub shoulders with all sorts of staff while volunteering. One caveat- the organization is very uptight about the time commitment (i.e. your volunteer position is treated as if you were a full-time employee). When I ran into an unexpected crisis with my own research colony of animals (many animals needed extensive veterinary care- 7 days a week), Aquarium of the Pacific was very rigid and not sympathetic that I had actual employment commitments external to my volunteer commitment with their organization. Regretfully, I had to resign as a volunteer- although would very much have loved to return to my duties once said crisis had passed. They expect a lot of investment. Worth it, if you can swing the travel and time- but beware the lack of flexibility. Aquarium of the Pacific | Volunteer | Adult Volunteering

Thank you! That insight is great to have. I am definitely going to consider that when I have more of a laid back schedule this fall!

 

[i love dogs]

How exactly do you ask to shadow a vet? Do you take your resume up to the receptionists and ask them if they take in shadows/ ask them if they could pass along your resume to the vet ? I know the vets are not just hanging around out there. What has been your most successful approach to gaining a shadowing opportunity? Thank you !

 

[kayed12]

How exactly do you ask to shadow a vet? Do you take your resume up to the receptionists and ask them if they take in shadows/ ask them if they could pass along your resume to the vet ? I know the vets are not just hanging around out there. What has been your most successful approach to gaining a shadowing opportunity? Thank you !

So what I did was either called a handful of places and asked them to leave a message for the doctor if I could shadow. And I have also written a letter with a resume (SEALED) and dropped it off at the front desk for the vet. And he called me later to invite me in.

 

[LyraGardenia]

How exactly do you ask to shadow a vet? Do you take your resume up to the receptionists and ask them if they take in shadows/ ask them if they could pass along your resume to the vet ? I know the vets are not just hanging around out there. What has been your most successful approach to gaining a shadowing opportunity? Thank you !

There are a ton of previous threads about this topic! Here's a recent one: Getting veterinary experience

 

[ilol_girl]

So what I did was either called a handful of places and asked them to leave a message for the doctor if I could shadow. And I have also written a letter with a resume (SEALED) and dropped it off at the front desk for the vet. And he called me later to invite me in.

If you don't mind me asking, where you able to find places to volunteer near you? I'm from the Burbank area. When I did hours I could only find small animal clinics.

 

[Tru108]

Hi! Best friends animal shelter in mission hills always accepts volunteers! They also do kitten rescues and they’re a no kill shelter which is awesome. You can also volunteer at any of the West LA/ East LA shelters! I live in the San Fernando valley, so if you need any tips let me know!