A starting point for your veterinary career
Exciting career options and experiences await you outside the classroom. These essential tools will help you navigate the beginning of your successful veterinary career.
Career Choices for Veterinarians
There are many paths that you can take in your veterinary career. Take a moment to explore all of the available career opportunities!
Get to know about veterinary career options from people who have already been there. From forensics to disaster or relief medicine, there's more than one place to use your veterinary skills.
AVMA's My Veterinary Life podcast series offers a personal glimpse into the lives of your colleagues. Tune in for inspiring stories from fellow veterinarians about the journeys, challenges – and often hilarious anecdotes – that got them to where they are today. This series is brought to you by the AVMA, in partnership with Hill's Pet Nutrition.
There are a breadth of careers open to you when you begin your career as a veterinarian. Use the information here to start creating a plan to achieve your goals.
Do you want to explore federal government career options? Here's the complete guide to working for the government as a veterinarian.
Find the future career path that’s best for you with the help of these self-assessment tools.
Externships and Internships
Get hands-on experience with an externship or additional training with an internship.
Search our extensive database of externships to find an interesting experience to build your veterinary medical knowledge or meet graduation requirements.
Here’s your complete guide to veterinary internships – from finding the perfect internship for you, to learning the application process and understanding the financial implications.
How can you make the most of your clinical experiences? This free webinar on AVMA Axon walks you through everything from identifying the right opportunity to protecting yourself physically and legally.
Go International
Why limit your experience to your home state or even your home country? Go explore the planet!
Explore student exchange opportunities across the globe with this great resource compiled by your SAVMA officers and volunteers.
NAVLE: Helping You Pass the Test
We get it. You're in the middle of clinics, and you have to study for The Test.
Learn about NAVLE, and pick up tips on study habits from former students.
The International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) is the place to go for all information about NAVLE, state licensing boards and species-specific examinations.
Communication Skills: Essentials You Can't Ignore
Clients and coworkers won't care how much you know…until they know how much you care. Start learning the “soft” skills of veterinary medicine—they’re important for any career path.
The right words can make all the difference in building stronger client relationships, encouraging compliance, and improving patient outcomes. Here are words, phrases, and strategies that resonate with clients.
Market Yourself
You do great work. Let the world know it!
Learn the tips and tricks on how to hit it off with your new coworkers from the get-go!
Learn why keeping your resume current is as important as fulfilling your continuing education requirements.
Check out the essential guide to defining who you are, where you want to go and how to get there. It all starts with your personal brand!