Vet experience question, advice needed.

[kakei]

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Hi! I’m new here and I have a question about obtaining veterinary experience. There is a clinic that currently has a job opening for a veterinary assistant but they are an eye specialist. I was wondering if working in a clinic that specializes in a certain field the best place to get experience or is it better to work in a clinic that does more general types of surgeries. Or does it matter as long as it’s vet experience? I also have a different question regarding vet/animal experience. I know it’s recommended to have experience from all types of animals (exotic, small, etc.) but is it detrimental if you’re missing experience from a certain type? I have been trying to find some work involving large animals but I’m currently having some problems. Thanks guys for the help!

 

[silverelf]

It doesn't matter if you're working for a specialist or not....Either way it is good experience. What does matter is that you have experience in different areas...aka they will respect 1500 hours from different areas (500 small animal, 500 lg animal, etc) more than they will 3000 hours with just 1 doctor. You should get some small animal experience, large animal experience, and wildlife/exotics if you can swing and get a legitimate experience for each one (100+ hours). For large animal experience, you'll never find a vet that will pay you, so get used to volunteering. If you need large animal experience and want to get paid, look for work as a farmhand at a barn. This obviously will only work if you live in a rural area 🙂

 

[osuvet2011]

I agree with silverelf about getting a wide variety of experience. Also, if you have time try to get some research experience. Having laboratory/research experience was a HUGE plus for my application.
Just thought i would share.
Good luck with everything!

 

[thereservoirdog]

I've been wanting to get lab/research experience but how do you get it?

 

[OsuVet2010]

Hey,
I completely agree with osuvet2011. My interviewer commended me on my variety of experience and told me that fewer and fewer applicants have research experience.
I got my experience working with my undergrad advisor. He was doing research on pigs...it was dirty and smelly but it helped me get into vet school!
A small disclaimer about research experience: Make sure you can describe the research, methods, and results (if any) during the interview because they will most likely ask.
Also, if you have a vet school close by; try to get a job there (most likely as a volunteer) because you will get to know lots of professors that way and getting a letter of recommendation from someone from a university is a HUGE PLUS for any application (especially if you plan to attend vet school there).
I hope this helps, let me know if you have anymore questions!

 

[AuburnPreVet]

Working at a vet school (if you live near one) is a great idea. You will meet many of the professors which can lead to research positions.

Regarding working with the vet ophtho -- that's fantastic. I wish I would have had such an opportunity. With that said, you WILL need to get other experience, and really should work in a traditional private practice as well -- since that is where most vets end up.

 

[kakei]

Thanks for the replies so far. As for the number of hours, do schools usually want at least 100 hours working with each type of animal? I actually worked in a research primate lab doing environmental enrichment, and while I wasn't involved directly with the research does that still count as animal experience with research animals? I didn't really enjoy working in the lab enviornment and don't think I will find another research job involving animals.

 

[cubs11]

kakei,

i volunteer with both small animal/exotics/and large animal. finding large animal experience is often difficult, but here is my advice to you. start shadowing or working with a small animal vet and ask them if they could recommend any large animal vets for you to volunteer with. that's how i got my large animal position. the small animal vet i work with gave me three recommendations for large animal vets to shadow. she had shadowed two of them prior to going to vet school, and worked in a mixed practice with the third one (right after she graduated from vet school).

get your foot in the door with a small animal vet, and see if that leads to other opportunities. also, if you live near a zoo, try volunteering there as well...great opportunity for exotics! PM me if you have any questions!

 

[ri23]

I agree with what has been said. Most of the time small animal vets know the large animal vets in the area that are willing to take on people to volunteer/shadow.

Also, for those interested in volunteering at a zoo, when you first start volunteering it may not be with a vet or animals. Usually there are so many people interested in these areas that you have to show dedication and work your way up. I started volunteering at the zoo at age 13, in a new teen volunteer program. It took a couple of years before I was able to work with a large animal keeper on a weekly basis and through that I developed a relationship with the vet.

 

[wivet2011]

Most of the time small animal vets know the large animal vets in the area that are willing to take on people to volunteer/shadow.

So true... the vet I work for went to school with a large animal vet that owns another clinic in the area and so I was able to go out on farm calls with her (when I wasn't working like crazy at my clinic 😛)