Volunteer - how to apply

[camcam]

---

Members do not see this ad.

It seems that alot of the veterinarian clinics may or may not take in volunteers, so I am trying to be creative I am wondering how I can re-write my resume so that it appeals to being an animal care attendant/kennel attendant.

I am wondering how I can fancy up my resume so that I can work as a care taker in a clinic or use it as an attractive volunteer application.

I did google animal care attendant resumes online but I kind want real life feedback of how they made themselves a value person to be in the clinic without going to school for veterinarian technician. it seems that if you want to be a veterinarian you have to think outside of the box to gain volunteer or animal care experience.

 

[scb44f]

It seems that alot of the veterinarian clinics may or may not take in volunteers, so I am trying to be creative I am wondering how I can re-write my resume so that it appeals to being an animal care attendant/kennel attendant.

I am wondering how I can fancy up my resume so that I can work as a care taker in a clinic or use it as an attractive volunteer application.

I did google animal care attendant resumes online but I kind want real life feedback of how they made themselves a value person to be in the clinic without going to school for veterinarian technician. it seems that if you want to be a veterinarian you have to think outside of the box to gain volunteer or animal care experience.

A good place to start would be to highlight any animal/veterinary experience you already have. If a clinic sees that you have a bit of experience somewhere else with species they work with regularly, it won't hurt.

If the majority of the experiences on your resume are not animal-related, don't worry about it. Whenever I try to get experience with a new vet, I have a section of veterinary experience showing duties and hours, but I also have a section for non-veterinary experiences, since that is the majority of my resume. The trick is to quantify things in a way so that it actually tells them something about you. If you were on a committee that put on a dance for your school/campus/whatever, you can certainly put that on there, but word choice matters. There is a difference between saying, "Was part of a committee that put on Enchantment Under the Sea," and saying, "Represented the social committee to local businesses in order to collect $250 worth of donations for an event that catered to 400 guests." While it's not specifically related to vet med, it still shows a level of professionalism, the ability to talk to people, etc.

It's okay to follow the generic resume guidelines, just tweak some things to make it your own. If you're at a college/university somewhere, I'm sure there is a career center somewhere that would be happy to review your resume, or if you want, I would be happy to take a look at what you have. Just PM me.

 

[NStarz]

Also, there have been other threads about gaining veterinary experience. You could try using the search function, or maybe someone (TT?) will be able to provide you with links. Good luck!

 

[camcam]

Also, there have been other threads about gaining veterinary experience. You could try using the search function, or maybe someone (TT?) will be able to provide you with links. Good luck!

I did do a search maybe I used the wrong keywords, and I wasn't able to find anything in the pre-veterinary section.

I think for now I will focus on getting my high school equivalent and the college career services should be able to help me with writting my resume to apply for volunteer or animal care attendant positions and I will keep volunteer with dog and cat rescue groups, animal services, wild life centres and see how that goes first.

I got many years before I even apply to a vet school so i am trying not to put my cart before my horses ... 😍

 

[Coquette22]

There's also Pre-Vet FAQ : http://www.studentdoctor.net/answer...t-getting-a-job-or-volunteer-work-at-a-clinic

 

[SocialStigma]

I emphasized the animal/vet volunteer experience that I did have (ie. listed them first in my volunteering experience section). And I also tried to highlight things that show I'm responsible, mature, dedicated, compassionate etc by having a section of academic awards/accomplishments and school clubs/ECs I participate in.

 

[camcam]

one veterinarian clinic emailed me back said they only take volunteers who are in high school doing a co-op program because of insurance reasons so I am a bit discouraged of how me at 26 years old will be able to get the veterinarian experience I need for Guelph and Ross U.

which is why now I am considering to build my resume so that I can be a kennel/animal care attendant in various animal care professional settings even if I am being paid $12 an hour I will take it. I feel like I am being shot in the foot I know it's possible I spoke with 2 new graduate vets my regular family vet for my cats and clinic that asked me to come in for an interview to tell me they don't accept volunteers and they are fully staffed.

since become a vet tech is completely out of the plan and not worth being if my goal is to be a veterinarian I need to plan the next 6 years getting my requirements for university undergrad studies, volunteer expereince wiht as many animals as possible so that I can be a valuable student to Guelph, Ross or any vet school that will have me.

 

[twelvetigers]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=751437
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=783548
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=713019
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=688704
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=737597
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=731429
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=678412
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=598102

Whew!

As you can see, this is a topic we've touched on before. 🙂

 

[Ben and Me]

I only got my veterinary assistant/receptionist job because I walked into the clinic where I wanted to work and dropped off my resume in person. I had a call from the clinic (which wasn't actively hiring) within 10 minutes of walking out the door.

Why?

1. I was neatly/professionally dressed
2. I showed initiative
3. I had a well-written cover letter and resume (with correct grammar!)

There is a reason many kennel jobs only want folks to apply in person...The most important attribute of a kennel attendant is someone who is reliable and shows up. Period.

Pick a quiet time for the clinic (generally 10am-noon and around 2-3pm) and stop by. Be polite and chat with the receptionist for a second -- often they'll determine where your resume ends up. 😉

 

[camcam]

I only got my veterinary assistant/receptionist job because I walked into the clinic where I wanted to work and dropped off my resume in person. I had a call from the clinic (which wasn't actively hiring) within 10 minutes of walking out the door.

Why?

1. I was neatly/professionally dressed
2. I showed initiative
3. I had a well-written cover letter and resume (with correct grammar!)

There is a reason many kennel jobs only want folks to apply in person...The most important attribute of a kennel attendant is someone who is reliable and shows up. Period.

Pick a quiet time for the clinic (generally 10am-noon and around 2-3pm) and stop by. Be polite and chat with the receptionist for a second -- often they'll determine where your resume ends up. 😉

Do you still have that resume I would love to see it so I can make sure they won't throw mine out.

 

[Ben and Me]

Do you still have that resume I would love to see it so I can make sure they won't throw mine out.

Not really comfortable sharing my resume with a stranger on the internet 😉 but if you google around, you will be able to find good examples on nearly all vet schools' websites. Almost all word processing programs have "ready-made" resume formatting.

Examples: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/studentservices/resume.html

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/academic/counseling/CareertResume2.pdf

After reading some of your other posts, however, I'd imagine the trait that would be most helpful for you would be finishing up your high school degree. I'd focus on that for now, and then work on getting veterinary experience. Just my two cents.

 

[Chinola]

After reading some of your other posts, however, I'd imagine the trait that would be most helpful for you would be finishing up your high school degree. I'd focus on that for now, and then work on getting veterinary experience. Just my two cents.

I agree with Ben and Me on this one. As someone who has a degree in English I can tell you that your sentence structure and grammar need significant work. I would advice you to finish up your high school degree and make sure that you get help with your writing skills. You may also want someone from your college's career center to look over your resume. There's nothing that says this resume is going in the trash like blatantly obvious writing mistakes. Please use punctuation. It's hard enough reading run on sentences in a forum, it would be even more difficult on a professional resume.

 

[camcam]

Ben and me thanks for the resume link.

I got a first step plan now, complete high school equivalent while coutinuing to volunteer with non profit animal care organizations (human societys, feral cat programs and fostering).

Apply to vet assisstant program at ontario colleges (its 1 year program) I will be paid more to be an animal care attedant when I graduate, then someoen with just only high school diploma or equivalent.

Work as an animal care attendant, while volunteer when I can, and working from home when I can and applying to undergrad studies. undergrad studies will be done in my province.

 

[SSeventTT]

I think that you are defiantly on the right track as far as start small with animal experience and go from there. Certainly ask around if anyone you know has a good relationship with their vet just to get your foot in the door. I got hired as a veterinary assistant through a friend's girlfriend's aunt, so you just never know!

Also, make sure that it is very clear whether you want to be paid or volunteer and make it clear in your cover letter why you will be a resource for them. Try to sell yourself using powerful verbs and adjectives, rather than just stating facts. Read your cover letter to someone and make sure that you are really getting across how helpful and useful you will be. It makes a world of difference!

 

[mslala]

I'm not sure how much this applies, but sometimes if you try to find a volunteer position at a "newer" clinic that may help?

The clinic I work at took in a volunteer who goes to University of Guelph, and is an art and science major. She walked in with her resume and said that she would really like to know what it was like to be working in a vet clinic setting. She basically asked them for an opportunity to shadow the vets or just an opportunity to learn the basics, and she'll take whatever we could offer.

The reason I say "newer" clinic is because they're often not that busy, and they may not want to take on a volunteer, but you can always say that you just want to get your foot in and see if the job really suits you.

I hope you can find something, Good luck!