If you love animals, you may have chosen to spend years studying to become a veterinarian. However, for many veterinarians, running a traditional practice is not their dream. There are several other opportunities for veterinarians that are outside private practice, and you might be surprised at a few of your options. Here are a few unique career paths available for licensed veterinarians.
Governmental Jobs
There are several job opportunities available for veterinarians on the city, state, and governmental levels. For example, some veterinarians find rewarding jobs working for their local public health department. When there is an outbreak of a disease that can impact livestock, wildlife, and pets, public health veterinarians will monitor the outbreak and prevent future outbreaks.
On a state or national level, veterinarians can work for regulatory institutions, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Some veterinarians also work towards creating public policies with the American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA.
Research
If you have always had a passion for working in a lab, pharmaceuticals, or creating new tests and technologies that will protect animals, research is a great option for you. Many veterinary researchers work at the governmental level and others work in universities. There are also private laboratories that create new tests and vaccines.
Another option is to become a veterinary environmental researcher. These professionals are charged with understanding how the environment impacts pets, wild animals, and livestock.
Mobile Veterinary Services
If you have always loved the idea of working directly with livestock or pets but do not want the oversight that comes with expensive equipment, a large staff, and a massive rental space, operating a mobile veterinary service is a more cost-effective option. Mobile veterinarians either rent or purchase a large cargo van or motor home and make in-home visits.
For example, you can become a large animal vet and do basic exams or perform vaccinations on livestock from your mobile veterinary clinic.
Teaching
Finally, if you have a passion for training future veterinarians to help the next generation of livestock and pets, becoming an instructor might be the best path for you. Teaching allows you to have a small practice but also make additional money by teaching at your local veterinary school.
From teaching to governmental positions, if you are a veterinarian who wants to branch out beyond private practice, there are several unique career paths available. For more information about jobs for veterinarians, talk to a local professional.
Share17 June 2022
There are so many different diseases that can affect pets. Some of them you have probably heard of, like rabies and parvovirus. Others you may not have heard of, like alopecia x and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. To protect your pet from well-known and more obscure diseases, you need to take them to regular vet appointments. This is where they will receive vaccines, deworming agents, and other care to keep them in great shape as they age. Learn more about the care vets provide on this blog. Whether you're a cat owner, a dog owner, or the owner of some other pet, we think you'll benefit from reading here.