Ranting because I'm having decision paralysis/future anxieties. I am planning to practice either equine or mixed animal medicine upon graduation. I know that I still have like 2 years until i graduate but I'm starting to stress about where I will be working/what I'll be doing after school. The area where I am from (MD) there are lots of private ambulatory equine vets but not many hospitals and only 2 or 3 mixed animal clinics. I haven't decided on if I want to do an internship for a year in academia just to get the experience and cases under my belt, but it was brought to my attention when i was at a referral center for rotations this summer that they are interested in me for an internship. I have a great relationship with a mixed animal practice in my area, however they are full to the brim on doctors and I don't think that anyone is retiring/leaving anytime soon. Another mixed animal clinic in my area I worked at for a very short time and did not agree with the quality of medicine practiced there. The third mixed animal practice does not have equine clients as far as I am aware.
For some added context which complicates my job choices is that my partner works in law enforcement and cannot transfer without forfeiting his time, so we would essentially be doing long distance for ANOTHER year if I did an internship. It also has a significant impact on the type of job I should accept after graduation because he works midnights on a rotating schedule, therefore a solo ambulatory practitioner role is not something I think a) I would be happy in long term or b) would be sustainable when we decide to have children. I refuse to have children and then their grandparents raise them.
Idk... I know that this is sort of dramatic but needed a place to rant that isn't someone in my close circle. Any input/advice is welcome. Sincerely, a worry-wart of a 3rd year veterinary student.
My boyfriend, turned fiance, turned husband and I did a LOTTT of long distance, even after we were married. Many, many, many vet people do long distance at some point in their careers and even more are doing it during vet school.
Things to consider:
1. One year is temporary and goes by quickly, especially if you are
both pretty busy with work. If you decide on an internship, it will be the fastest year of your life.
2. You never know when someone is going to leave/retire, or when a place decides they need another vet on board. Check job boards weekly. Don't be afraid to reach out to practice managers and express interest in joining their team either, you don't know what talks those teams are having.
3. Would you be happy/fulfilled in small animal practice if it meant living with your partner sooner, while you see if any equine/mixed jobs open up?
4. Does partner need to hit a certain milestone to avoid forfeiting their time, or is that going to happen no matter what if they transfer?
5. How far are you willing to commute? Are there any mixed/equine hospitals farther out that you could look into?
-If you find a hospital farther out, would partner be willing to move to the halfway point between their job and yours?
6. Everything is temporary. You are never stuck or locked in to something (aside from contract obligations, so be careful with what you sign). If you choose something, it does not have to be permanent if you don't want it to be.
