If you'd like to explore career options with the U.S. government, start at the AVMA's Veterinary Career Center. This page has an entire section on "Finding veterinary jobs with the federal government."
Start your journey to improved professional wellbeing with the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Assessment
Start your journey to improved professional wellbeing with the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Assessment.
Use this tool to guide salary negotiations or map out different earning scenarios if you’re considering a position or career change.
Use this tool to guide salary negotiations or map out different earning scenarios as you begin your veterinary career.
Handling ethical dilemmas is a common contributor to poor wellbeing in veterinary medicine. Discover what moral stress is and how to tell if you may be suffering from it. Plus, find a list of helpful resources to go to for help.
On March 26, 2025, after a temporary pause, the U.S. Department of Education once again made the online application form available for eligible borrowers to apply for the Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans for federal loan repayment. The online loan consolidation application also was reposted. The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan remains on hold, and borrowers enrolled in SAVE are in a general forbearance unless otherwise notified. For more information on the available income-driven plans and the implications of the SAVE forbearance, see the announcement and FAQs on the Federal Student Aid website.
The AVMA is engaging with lawmakers in Washington and working with student debt experts to prepare materials to help veterinary students and veterinarians navigate the evolving federal student loan landscape. Meanwhile, borrowers who are already enrolled in income-driven plans, including those pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), are advised to document and retain all information related to their student loans, including repayment history.
Dr. Jim Park explains how to make a smooth transition from vet school to practice and includes topics such as contract considerations and how to impress your new boss and clients. Requires AVMA login.
Learn why it's important to stay motivated with your budget during school. This article, written by a veterinary student, explores the impact of debt after graduation.
Elizabeth Johnson, one of the authors of this article, was an extern in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Economics Division. Check out the AVMA Student Externship Locator to learn about the many externship opportunities at the AVMA!