Becoming a veterinarian is often one of the most rewarding career paths, especially for animal enthusiasts. A veterinary profession puts you in direct contact with animals with the opportunity to look after them, nurture them, and care for them. As well as being a great career option, the profession provides veterinarians with engaging career experience to work with a variety of animal species. Studying at a school of veterinary medicine can be your stepping-stone to pursuing a career as a veterinarian.
A career as a veterinarian is professionally fulfilling, while also financially rewarding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of a veterinarian in the U.S. in 2019 was around $89,000. There are many reasons to go into the exciting field of veterinary medicine. If you think you have what it takes to become a veterinarian, learn about some of the main reasons to pursue a veterinary career.
Diverse job opportunities
A veterinarian degree has great graduate prospects. If you find veterinary medicine appealing but don't know exactly what you want to work as, then a veterinary medicine degree will allow you to explore various career options within the domain. Below are the prominent job opportunities for a graduate in veterinary medicine:
- Research Veterinarian
- Veterinary Specialist
- Food-Animal Veterinarian
- Exotic Animal Veterinarian
- Wildlife rescues to treat wounded animals
- Veterinary Specialist
These are varied roles that a veterinarian can play in treating animals of different species.
Opportunity to work with both animals and people
A career as a veterinarian allows you to fulfill your passion for animals while also working with people, as pet owners will often require your compassion and guidance. Choosing veterinary medicine will help you build a strong knowledge of veterinary medicine and clinical skills, and the curriculum will also focus on developing essential communication skills.
Veterinary medicine is a holistic program that will help students become well-trained and knowledgeable veterinarians. Therefore, the overall development is instrumental in working with animals and people.
Great learning scope through the veterinary career
Veterinary medicine is a career that can constantly satisfy an individual's curiosity and passion for new learning. With the constantly evolving technologies, veterinarians must stay up-to-date with new treatments and techniques to put them into practice.
Veterinarians are also required to complete annual courses and certifications, through which they are continuously mentored and guided.
Work independently
A veterinarian can work in a big organization or choose to shape their own career path. However, after attending veterinary school, veterinarians can choose to work with clinics and organizations, which allows them to understand their interests and skills. After gaining valuable experience, students often start working independently and specialize in their specific area of interest.
Contribute to the wellbeing of the community
People tend to trust veterinarians, knowing that their pets' lives and health are safe in their hands. Veterinarians also enjoy the interaction with the owners and often build strong relationships with them. As a veterinarian, you can also lead a team of people specializing in a different area of veterinary.
Becoming a veterinarian is challenging. However, most veterinarians agree that the profession is worth the hard work. So, as you complete the Doctor of Medicine (DVM) program, remember that you will soon be able to spend your life doing the thing you love.