What Type Of Person Thrives In The Veterinary Industry According To A Vice President At The Vets

Thriving in this industry probably has many different definitions. However, I think what keeps people engaged in veterinary medicine is that it is constantly changing. If people get stuck in a rut and let time move on beyond what they're doing, you're going to find burnout and a lack of satisfaction.

What allows people to thrive are those with curious minds, seeking the most current ways to do things. This includes understanding why, where, and how we do things, and constantly learning. By learning, I don't necessarily mean just getting your annual continuing education. I mean learning for the sake of learning.

Expand your knowledge base and then apply it back to what you're doing. This will allow you to thrive. People should expect to change jobs throughout their careers based on their experience and knowledge. Going into a practice with one or two years of experience is different than going in with 12 years.

Veterinary medicine training is four years, but the career can be another 40 years beyond that. Never dictate what you're going to do for 40 years based on one-tenth of that, through the first 10 years, because things can change significantly down the road.

The mind of a veterinarian that allowed you to enter the field is constantly changing, curious, and evolving. Veterinarians were classically trained as problem solvers. People want our way of thinking to help them do any number of things.

When opportunity knocks, answer that door. At least have the conversation, because you never know what's on the other side. It might lead to your next career.

Starting in private practice, industry, the military, or mobile care, you never know where your next role will take you. Don't think that upon graduation you know what you're going to do for the rest of your life. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so be willing to explore those opportunities.