Need Experience Help/Advice

[GingerSnap215]

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So, I'm hoping you guys can help me out here. I'm feeling very frustrated at the moment and need some advice. I'm a junior at Ohio State. I'm trying to get vet experience but am at a loss of what to do. As of right now all I have done was shadowing a vet for 36 hours over the summer and another vet for 8 hours. Now that I'm back in school I am desperately trying to find a job in a vet clinic to get some vet experience. I've sent out 12 resumes so far and haven't heard anything back from basically all of them. One of them offered me an interview but ended up giving the job to someone with more experience which is what has happened many times in the past. The problem being I'm trying to get the experience, but they want you to have experience. One clinic offered to give me shadowing experience if I don't find a job. So my question is, what do you think I should do at this point? Would it be worth it to take the shadowing opportunity or should I wait and try to find a job instead (not to mention I need the money also)? I've heard from many people that vet schools would rather see you working in a clinic. Sorry, that was such a long message but I'm feeling really depressed about my situation right now and I feel like I won't be able to get into vet school if I don't find something soon... 🙁

 

[DVMDream]

Take the shadowing offer for now. Show to this clinic that you are really interested in vet med. Ask questions, help out as much as possbile. Show that you really want a job they may hire you on. Even if you only find a job working in the kennels, you can move up to vet assistant (this is what happened to me.) Try not to get too discouraged. At least you have gotten an interview which is hard enough in this economy. (I can't even get an interview. No place is hiring where I live.) Volunteer at a shelter, especially one that has veterinary services. Show that you would like to help in the clinic as much as possible. You can possibly get a job from a shadowing position. Good luck and Do Not Give Up!! 🙂

 

[Ben and Me]

I didn't get my first paying vet job until the summer before I applied to vet school. Shadowing is better than nothing--vet schools are well-aware of the economic situation and that clinics aren't hiring as many people as they have in the past (vet schools are dealing with the same thing--layoffs, etc) Shadowing is also great while you're a full time student since it gives you more flexibility. I'm sure it's doubly hard to get a veterinary-related job in Columbus between all the pre-vet and vet students (I ran into the same problems in Raleigh). Plus, if a position opens up at the clinic where you're shadowing, you'll likely be first in line if you've shown them that you're an asset to their team.

Good luck!

 

[twelvetigers]

It's difficult. Be persistent! And shadow in the meantime.

 

[david594]

You can try contacting the large animal service at OSU to see about shadowing with them. One of the vets was talking to our class today and said that they are more than happy to have people come out and ride along with them. They said they give first preference to vet students, then to college students hoping to become vets, and lastly to high school students.

 

[Sophie10]

Shadow! Shadowing shows them you are interested and it is a lot easier to hire someone they know when a position opens up. The first job I ever had a at a vet clinic was one where I had shadowed and the doctor liked me enough to get me hired as a tech for the hours I had been shadowing every week.

You should also see about working as a receptionist. Pretty much everyone hates doing that work, but the experience in the veterinary environment and with clients is good for you. You can also let the vets know you want to go to vet school and they can let you help out with procedures because you are on their insurance as an employee.

Another good place to look for work is with an animal shelter where they need kennel help. Sure, you'll be scooping poo and cleaning cages, but any animal handling experience is good. I worked at a shelter and I feel like that experience got me jobs at vet clinics.

Don't give up and don't stress too much!

 

[GingerSnap215]

So, I know this was posted awhile ago but you all were so encouraging that I thought I would give you an update. I happened to send my resume into another vet clinic around the time I got the shadowing offer. Basically, long story short, I got a job there as a kennel worker/assistant/receptionist. So I just wanted to say thank you for the encouraging words and advice and I'm sorry about my minor freak out!

 

[Adrift108]

So, I know this was posted awhile ago but you all were so encouraging that I thought I would give you an update. I happened to send my resume into another vet clinic around the time I got the shadowing offer. Basically, long story short, I got a job there as a kennel worker/assistant/receptionist. So I just wanted to say thank you for the encouraging words and advice and I'm sorry about my minor freak out!

congrats! keep working it! 👍

 

[snapcall]

Congrats! I'm in the exact same spot you were before, and I'll be shadowing until I can find a paid position. I hope I'm able to find one as quickly as you were!

 

[deleted266066]

Yay for job success!!

I still haven't had any paid positions, but I only recently started accumulating hours earlier this summer and was also taking summer classes so I didn't apply for paid work anywhere either. I have many volunteer and shadowing hours, as well as non-paid research hours (through course credit with my school)... The shelter I've been working at for free has tentatively offered me a paying position for next summer, but it would likely only be part time since the economy is still in the pooper. Maybe I'll do what you did and send out a bunch of resumes to tech some place next year during my year off of applications since it seemed to work for you... hmmm.