Why looking for experiences so hard?

[Phebe]

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I am looking for "job" in vet clinics, or even just volunteer position in vet clinics, but they say --NO--they don't need anyone...their eyes just telling me they don't trust a "kid" ( I am 20...)to work for them...Am I doing something wrong...just get in and ask? I will start to help at the humane society...but I think vet school want you to work at vet clinics before, is it not?

Can anyone give me some suggestion what should I do to work in a vet clinic?

 

[pressmom]

I would suggest coming in dressed business casual with a resume and cover letter addressed to the practice owner and giving it to the office manager personally (rather than just the receptionist). You could also call before-hand and ask if they are hiring or are willing to take on a shadow. But be sure to speak to someone who can actually give you an informed yes or no, such as the head vet, owner, office manager or practice manager. Do you have pets? Try starting with your own vet. That's what I did. If not, you could also ask your school's pre-vet advisor for a name (if such a person exists at your school).

 

[cubs11]

i had a horrible time finding a vet to shadow, especially with a back injury b/c they told me i was "too much of a liability" to have in the clinic. when i finally found a small animal vet to shadow, it turned out to be a horrible situation b/c the vet basically made her student shadows feel to be in the way. finding experience can be a real pain, but once you find a great vet, it makes it worth the struggle. i am now shadowing an incredible large animal vet and have found a great small animal clinic to volunteer at.

my first attempt at finding vets to shadow - i looked at websites of some local clinics to find out more about their practice. then i called and asked to speak with the vets directly.

my second attempt - i searched for current vet students at my contract school (who were from the same city i currently live in) and asked them where they shadowed/volunteered/worked as techs. the first student i emailed, had shadowed at the same clinic for over 3 years and loved it. she highly recommended that clinic and told me to come by the next day and talk to the office manager. i have been at that clinic for about a month now, and it has been a great learning experience so far.

there are high school students who work part time at this clinic, so hopefully you'll find a clinic soon who will allow you to shadow or work! good luck in your search!

 

[DKSoCal]

For my current voulnteer position which I have, all I did was call the office an asked if they were accepting vlounteer positions. The receptionist didn't know so I asked if I could speak with the general manager. Sure enough she wasn't there so I left a message. A week later I got a call and an interview. Also, what reall helped me was pets911.com . When on the website scroll down on the left side and there is a volunteer link. Enter your zip code and your set.

 

[Phebe]

Resume? covering letter?
How should I start that? ...and no, I don't have pet...

and I ride bike to everywhere, no car, if dress code matter...I think i did a poor, but not worst job...🙁

 

[Hopeful07]

I had the same problem trying to find a job at a Vet Clinic. It took me a few weeks to finally convience a Veterinarian to give me a job.

First and foremost, the suggestions above are great advice. Dressed professionally and personally giving it to the office manager is a big deal.

Not to sound too critical, but make sure you are professional about it. Speak complete coherant sentences and look the person in the eye. Act confident, even if you don't feel confident!

I personally applied to most the Clinics in my town. Almost all of them said that they were not hiring and that I needed experience. I found a few that I really liked and I went back 3-4 days after I turned in my resume just to "check up on things". One Clinic was my particular favorite and I went back to talk to the Office Manager three times before he gave me an interview!


Just keep at it! Good luck.

 

[thereservoirdog]

If you live by a good humane society they have volunteers for their vet clinics that do exactly what a vet assistant would do at a private clinic. So go and volunteer there because they are always looking for volunteers and they're willing to train. Once you're comfortable with that job, then start going to vet clinics and asking if they need help because from what I've seen, private vet clinics usually don't like training people with no experience.

 

[pressmom]

Okay, I'm trying to unpack, so I don't have long, but here's what mine looks like.

Name and addy (including phone and email) centered at top

Next heading education
entry looks like this
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, Raleigh, NC
G.P.A. 4.0/4.33; Major: Animal Science 3.9/4.33


heading: animal experience--include volunteer as well as paid experience
XXX ANIMAL HOSPITAL, Raleigh, NC—Spring 04-Summer 06
Veterinary Technician and Shadow
Checked in patients for exams. Performed lab tests. Took x-rays. Collected urine and blood samples. Filled prescriptions. Restrained animals. Attended to clients. Received payments and closed cash register at end of day. Performed animal care duties. Observed surgeries. Observed dental procedures.

heading: other experience
put here any other jobs you've had with descriptions similar to those listed above

heading: honors
dean's list, honor societies, publications, etc.

heading: activities
any clubs or ECs you're involved in

that should be sufficient.

Anyone else have suggestions?

As far as a cover letter, write it like a business letter and include a few paragraphs about what kind of experience you are interested in and what you will bring to their clinic. (Ex: I am interested in learning about daily life in a private practice. I hope to observe various surgeries, blah, blah, blah....I will bring to the practice a sharp mind and an eagerness to learn all that I can....)

If you want me to read over anything, PM me.

 

[kate_g]

Resume? covering letter?
How should I start that? ...and no, I don't have pet...

and I ride bike to everywhere, no car, if dress code matter...I think i did a poor, but not worst job...🙁

I really don't want to sound disrespectful here, but the way your posts are written you don't sound like a native English speaker. I work with quite a few non-native English speakers so I know speaking and writing are two very different skills, so your spoken English may be just fine. But if your spoken English is not good or you have a strong accent, I suspect you might also face a certain amount of language discrimination in addition to being "just a kid." It's not legal to discriminate based on national origin, but in a situation where (animal) lives are at stake they can probably get away with saying that proficiency in English is a requirement. It is true that communication is important in vet med, between the clinic and its clients *and* between clinic staff members, to make sure that all the patients get what they need and nothing dangerous happens.

So, in addition to dressing nicely when you go to ask for a job, maybe have a (native English-speaking) friend coach you on what to say and how to answer basic questions about your experience and qualifications, to make sure your grammar is good and you are easily understood. I suspect the level of discrimination you will face probably depends heavily on exactly where you're looking for a job (region of the country and even area of town the clinic is in).

You might also wait until you've volunteered at the humane society for a while before trying to get a job or volunteer position in a clinic. That way you'll have some more familiarity with handling animals and you'll also have a lot more practice talking about veterinary-related things.

(By the way, no, it's not necessary that you *work* in a clinic. But if your career goal is private practice, then you will need at least some volunteer experience in a regular clinic in addition to the humane society.)

 

[Phebe]

Yes, I am not a native English speaker, I am Chinese to be specific. Besides, I have hearing impairment (if thats matter). Not to address how poorly I might have been speaking, I will try to get my language improved. Thank you.

 

[smhrd]

I would really recommend emphasizing to clinics that you are willing to shadow or volunteer. I shadowed at the hospital where I work now for about six months before they hired me as a tech. Shadowing is a different experience from working, many times, but very valuable. I know the vets explained a lot more to me when I was shadowing than when I was working--now they need me to go DO stuff, LOL.

Keep in mind that, as others have said, it isn't rude to follow up with clinics a few days after you have stopped by and dropped off a resume. It's considered professional behavior, and I think a lot of places want to be sure you're truly interested.

Also, hang in there, because finding that first job is the toughest. I'm moving out of state in a few days and have already called around a bit to clinics in my new state...lo and behold, they're a LOT more willing to talk to someone who has already had experience working in a clinic, even for a relatively short time.