2. Professional Development
Employment opportunities for technicians
General practice
Specialty practice
Internal medicine, dermatology, dentistry, cardiology,
neurology, emergency, and critical care
Emergency practice
Research and development
Veterinary manufacturer and distributor companies
Teaching
3. Professional Development
Sources for locating employment opportunities
Websites
Word of mouth
School board postings and services
National veterinary conferences
National publications
Veterinary Economics
Veterinary Technician
Vet Product News
DVM
4. Professional Development
Preparing employment data
Cover letter
Teach readers something they will not learn in resume
Create interest
Describe abilities
Request an interview
Resume
Marketing tool tailored to specific job applicant is seeking
5. Professional Development
Resumes
List contact information at top
Objective statement
Education
Employment history
Keep job descriptions and duties short and to the point
Volunteer experience
Membership organizations
References: separate sheet of paper
6. Professional Development
Email and Internet resumes
Many companies only accept resumes online
Save resume in PDF file; allows uploading of resume as it
was created
7. Professional Development
Preparing for interview
Practice!
“Where have I been in my life?”
“Where am I now?”
“Where am I going?”
“How am I going to achieve my goals?”
“What are my strengths and weaknesses?”
“What type of salary and benefits am I willing to accept?”
8. 8
Interview Tips
Be early
Dress appropriately
Make eye contact
Smile
Speak clearly
Be positive
Talk about your strengths
Sit up straight
Ask questions
9. Professional Development
Learn about the business to which one is applying
Mission statements
Company philosophy
Dress appropriately
Prepare questions for interviewer
10. Professional Development
Follow up after interview
Follow-up letter/note/email
Indicates interest in the position
May set candidate apart from the rest
11. Career Choices
Small Animal
Companion animals
Example: Dog or Cat
Large Animal
Livestock species
Example: Equine, Bovine, Sheep and Goats
Exotic Animal
Examples: amphibians, birds, or reptiles
Specialization Private Practice
Only certain species treated
Example: Equine only, Feline only, Reptile only
Practices
12. Career Choices
Anesthesiology
Additional study in anesthetizing animals for surgery
Job: hired by vet clinics to assist with surgeries
Surgery
Additional training in surgical procedures
Some specialization in species or types of surgeries
Example: Colic surgery in horses
Job: Hired by universities or large scale vet clinics for
specific surgeries
Zoological Medicine
Emphasis on “zoo” animal health
Job: Work for Zoos
13. Career Choices
Military
Send veterinarians across seas to ensure the health of
military animals and low income community animals
Food Safety
Quality control of products
Safety of products
Job: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
Animal Importation
Regulate animals going across state borders and into
new states
Regulate animals leaving or coming into the country
Job: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
14. Career Choices
Research at a University
Research different treatment options and methods
Research for prevention against diseases
Instructor at a University
Educate young veterinary enthusiasts
Teach classes that interest you and help students
accomplish their veterinary dreams
15. More Options
Travel around the world and help third world
countries care for companion and livestock animals
Help with natural disasters
Donate time and energy to help families with sick or
injured pets during unexpected events
Examples: Vet-I-Care Organization, ASPCA, AHA,
Rocky Mountain Conservation Center, International
Fund for Animal Welfare, Inc., The Wildcat
Sanctuary, Save A Forgotten Equine, Lost Dog and
Cat Rescue Foundation, FIXNATION INC, Oak Hill
Animal Rescue Inc. etc.
16. Expectations in the Workplace
Depending on where you work will determine required
clothing and work habits.
Scrubs and comfy, closed toed footwear is more common.
The type of clinic (ex: large, exotic or small) will
determine the amount of physical work that will need to
be done.
Be prepared to get messy and to be on your feet all
day.
17. Work Habits
Arrive on time
Be Responsible
Have a good attitude
Dress appropriately
Respect others
Handle criticism well
Get along with co-workers
Be self motivated
Follow directions
Be hard working
18. Communication Tips
Be a good listener
Don’t talk negatively about other co-workers or other
animal facilities
Make eye contact
Think about what you say before you say it
Ask questions
Give advice only when it’s asked for
Be cheerful and attentive
Respect others’ ideas
Stop working when someone talks to you and give
them your full attention.