Veterinary Experience

[ethereal_goldfish]

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Hi everyone. So, I am a current 3rd year and was going to apply this upcoming cycle. However, some of my plans fell through and I won't be able to apply this year . Therefore, I have to wait until next year to apply, which is a bummer since I wasn't expecting to do that (take a year off basically). My question is, for my last year of college, I am looking to get a job/volunteer/shadow a vet, but should I start that process now (going around to clinics and giving them my resume/cover letter)? I do not end school until mid-June, and then I am going abroad and won't be back for school until mid-August. Should I wait then and do my search, or should I start before I leave the country? I know this seems like a trivial question to answer, but I honestly don't know what to do 🙁. I am currently looking for new vet experience because the vet I had volunteered/interned under "does not feel comfortable" writing me a LoR. It sucks, but it is what it is and I have to move on (even though it's hard🙁🙁🙁). I am looking to get some experience in my school's town, so it is more convenient for me, plus I have a car now.
I kind of feel like I have to "start over" with developing a relationship with a vet, and I'm not sure if I should ask to shadow or intern or if they have a job available? I want something long term (that can last the school year), not sure how to tell them this though (maybe in the cover letter?)
My other vet experiences have been through the Davis VMTH, but they were only 40 hours long each and in different departments of the hospital, therefore, I don't think the vets even remember me....

 

[Gwenevre]

Since you're going to be studying abroad, my best advice would be to start as soon as you return. Start early, get your face and resumé out, keep working to get your foot in the door as early as possible.

 

[ethereal_goldfish]

I was wondering, for my cover letter, I should say I am seeking a job shadow or possible employment? Obviously it would be nice to have a job as a kennel cleaner or veterinary assistant or receptionist, but not sure how to go about this since I am not sure if they are hiring or not. As for job shadows, is it okay to ask after the day if I am able to come back more? I am really looking for a long term thing, not just a one day thing. :\

 

[WillowLeaf]

I was wondering, for my cover letter, I should say I am seeking a job shadow or possible employment? Obviously it would be nice to have a job as a kennel cleaner or veterinary assistant or receptionist, but not sure how to go about this since I am not sure if they are hiring or not.

Sometimes a clinic's website will list employment opportunities so you know whether they're hiring, or you can check online job listings.
Even if you don't find an online job advertisement for a clinic your'e interested in, I'd say to go in person and ask if they're hiring. Have a cover letter and resume with you, and maybe a paper with some extra info that commonly appears on job applications in case they hand you an application, so that you can fill that out fully. If they're hiring, great. If they're not hiring, they might let you leave your resume and cover letter with them in case they start hiring in the near future. And since you're there in person, you can tell them that you're also interested in shadowing, and see if they'll let you shadow for a day.

As for job shadows, is it okay to ask after the day if I am able to come back more? I am really looking for a long term thing, not just a one day thing. :\

I think so. That's what I did, I said how much I enjoyed shadowing and how I was learning a lot, and asked if I could return.

Another thing - I'm not sure if this is commonly done or it's just me, but when I went to apply for a paid job as a kennel assistant, I listed my shadowing and volunteering at clinics on my resume. I mentioned in my cover letter how the shadowing let me get more familiar with the veterinary field, so that they knew I wasn't someone who had no idea what working in a vet clinic might be like.