Vetrinarian Career Information in Austin, Lakeway, Round Rock and Cedar Park and Surrounding Areas
Watch this video Q&A about becoming a veterinarian. Then, read on to learn more career related information.
To work as a veterinarian, you must:
■ complete at least two years of pre-veterinary study;
■ graduate from veterinary medicine school;
■ pass a state licensing exam;
■ enjoy working with animals; and
■ have good communication skills.
Did you know? The closest veterianary school to Austin is offered at Texas A&M.
Formal Education
Veterinary medicine programs usually take four years to complete. They award a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree. In veterinary school, you take courses in basic sciences such as anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology. In the last two years of study, you learn to diagnose and treat animals. You also learn to perform surgery on animals.
You need at least two years of pre-veterinary courses, primarily science classes, before enrolling in veterinary school. Many veterinary students have at least a bachelor's degree when they apply.
On-the-job Training
You must complete a one-year internship after veterinary school if you want to specialize in an area, such as internal medicine, radiology, or exotic small animal medicine. Interns usually receive a small salary.
To become board certified in a specialty area of veterinary medicine, you must complete a residency program. Residencies last two to three years depending on the specialty.
Hiring Practices Employers prefer to hire veterinarians who already have their state license. Employers also look at whether applicants have experience with small or large animals. In addition, employers look for applicants who have good communication skills.
Licensing/Certification Veterinarians must be licensed to practice in Texas . Applicants must:
■ graduate from an accredited college of veterinary medicine,
■ pass the National Board Exam;
■ pass the clinical competency test; and
■ pass the Texas exam on state veterinary laws and regulations.
Future Forcast for Vetrinarians Nationally, the number of jobs for veterinarians is expected to grow faster than average through the year 2010.
The number of pets people own is expected to rise. In addition, pet owners are more likely to pay for expensive treatments than they were in the past. This will increase the work for veterinarians because they will do more procedures to treat pets.
Veterinarians who work with small animals face competition, because many new graduates enter small animal medicine. The number of jobs for large animal veterinarians is expected to grow slowly. Advances in agricultural production have reduced the need for veterinarians to treat animals that produce food. Job prospects will be good for large animal veterinarians, however. This is because few graduates want to live in rural areas.
Advancement Opportunities Most veterinarians begin as employees or partners in established practices. They can advance by seeing more animals or opening their own practices. Those who teach or do research may become managers.
Content provided by the Minnesota Department of Education
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Did you know? The closest veterianary school to Austin is offered at Texas A&M.