On the Bright Side: Job Outlook

Are you soon to be graduated and worried about landing your first job? Are you employed and concerned about staying that way?

Although the job outlook for veterinarians today is outstanding, the most important influence on your career prospects may be your personal perspective and actions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 18 percent between 2016 and 2026 — a rate that far outpaces the average for all occupations.¹

This growth is attributed largely to increases in the amount of money pet owners are spending on their four-legged family members, from toys and treats to health care services that today are on par with those in human medicine.

Of the nearly 80,000 employed veterinarians, 79 percent work in private practice and 13 percent are self-employed. Most work full-time or more; some work nights, weekends and on-call shifts. The median salary for those in private practice approaches $89,000.

In any job climate, education and an entrepreneurial mindset are the best keys for unlocking opportunities. And opportunities in veterinary medicine to further your expertise and enhance your employability are everywhere, from local and national continuing education meetings to webinars you can view from your home or practice. You can also bolster your clinical knowledge with our sister publication, American Veterinarian^®. Being able to provide cancer treatment or preventive dentistry, for example, can enhance not only your ability to help patients but also your bottom line. Several articles in this issue are aimed toward job seekers as well as those who are already employed but want to grow or move in a different direction.

Speaking of directions, where you live can make a real difference when it comes to landing a great job. We’ve got the inside scoop on the U.S. cities and states where veterinarians can earn the highest living. For those interested in working abroad, we’ve also got the skinny on the nine best countries for veterinarians.

Many veterinary professionals — from veterinarians to kennel assistants — lack a good grasp of how to set themselves up for success via their resume. Yet this document is often crucial to landing a choice interview. With many recruiters affording just six seconds for the initial review of each resume that crosses their desk, it only makes sense to ensure that yours stands out from the crowd. With help from a longtime veterinary recruiter, we outline the keys to creating a knockout resume that will impress any would-be employer.

This issue also features three veterinary professionals who have carved their own career paths. A veterinary acupuncturist, a laboratory supervisor and a veterinary technician specialist who mentors others are proof positive that passion, dedication and hard work are integral to career success.

With this final issue of our debut year of publication, we gratefully acknowledge your support. Please let us know how we’re doing. Are we providing the information you need to own, manage and work cohesively in your practice? Is there something you’d like us to cover in greater depth? As always, our ears are open.

We wish you and your families a happy and prosperous 2018. Thank you for reading!

Mike Hennessy Sr.

Chairman and CEO

Reference:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational outlook handbook: veterinarians. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website. www.bls.gov/ooh/ healthcare/veterinarians.htm. Updated October 24, 2017. Accessed November 19, 2017.