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[Catch91]

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You may remember me from posting a general "HELP!" thread not long ago. Well, I have a minor update.

It's taken longer than anticipated, due to a major death in the family, holidays, the new year, and other factors, but finally wrote a letter to my veterinarian and got it mailed today! For those of you who don't remember, I am 17 and trying to get experience volunteering/shadowing at a veterinary clinic to prepare me and ultimately help make the final decision on whether this career is right for me.

So...the letter is in the mail and should arrive in the hands of my vet tomorrow or Friday. I will definitely update when I hear from him!

So excited! 🙂

 

[Catch91]

Bump? Anyone?

 

[ri23]

You didn't seem to have any sort of question in your post. Why are you bumping the thread?

 

[Catch91]

I don't know... just if anyone wanted to post a "Definitely let me know when you hear!" or something to that nature.

Also, for those of you who have done the same thing, how long did it take you to hear from them? Did any of you not receive any feedback?

There, that's a question. 🙂

 

[OSJ]

Good for you for taking a step forward to get to better know a future career! Best of luck! 🙂

 

[VAgirl]

I always prefer calling. A letter is too easy to ignore. And I can always just call back again as needed.

 

[lailanni]

I always prefer calling. A letter is too easy to ignore. And I can always just call back again as needed.

I agree- follow up with a call. Going into the office to visit is even better.

I'm not sure if you sent out one letter to one clinic, or many letters.

But if you don't have luck at that one place, I'd also recommend sending out several letters to several clinics in the area. Increase your odds : )

 

[MelliSpirit]

I agree, if you don't have any luck there, try elsewhere. Over a year ago, when I was 17 and looking for a job, I made up a resume and delivered it to 8 local vet hospitals. 1 said flat out-we don't take volunteers and don't hire people under 18. 6 never responded. 1 called me back asking me to set up a time to interview. 14 months later, I am on break from college and working there full time 😀 It seems to have worked out pretty well.

Good luck, let us know when you hear!

 

[Catch91]

Thanks everyone.

In my letter, I left a number for him to call me at, and said that if I didn't hear from him, I'd follow up with a call in a week or two.

There are about 3 other clinics in my area besides this one, and I planned on using them as back-ups. I've never been into any of them or met any of the doctors, so addressing a letter to them would be sort of vague...

But I will definitely consider it if I don't hear from my vet or if they say no. Thanks guys! Will let you know soon.

 

[clawsbeatskin]

I called each clinic first, spoke with the receptionist (or tech, or whomever handled calls for each) and asked for the veterinarian's email address. I then sent each vet a semi-formal sounding email with my resume attached. I received very prompt replies using this method...3 out of 5 invited me to volunteer, and all 5 replied without any kind of follow-up on my behalf.

As a side note, I was also a graduate student at the time, so it is possible the vets were more willing to work with an older student. But that method worked for me! It seems to me that if one was a busy vet, who probably checks their email anyways, it is easier to communicate in this manner rather than having to schedule a time to call someone back (what if they call and you aren't there to answer?). In my opinion, email is so much more convenient, and possibly more professional.