RCVS Careers Day shows students the veterinary variety

A very rewarding career, with some frustrations but plenty of variety - that was the impression of veterinary surgery that was given to the 60 or so students, teachers and parents who attended the annual RCVS Careers Day on 5 July 2005.

Students came from as far afield as Leicestershire and Lancashire to hear speakers on topics ranging from working in general practice, veterinary research and veterinary public health, to careers in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC).

"With undergraduate vet school applications down by 5% in 2004, compared with the previous year, it is more important than ever that we give school students a realistic picture of life as a vet, its challenges and rewards, and advice on how to succeed at interview stage," according to Freda Andrews, RCVS Head of Education, who chaired the event.

Speakers included Professor Philip Duffus, head of admissions and previously head of the vet school at Bristol University, who said that "enthusiasm, communications, commitment and confidence" were the qualities he looked for in a candidate. He also warned of some common pitfalls in the completion of the UCAS form.

Alexis Holley, third-year student at Bristol University and Junior Vice-President of the Association of Veterinary Students, stressed how important determination was in securing a place at vet school - but reminded students to enjoy their university life to the full.

The omnipresence of veterinary public health was the theme of Mac Johnston, Professor of Veterinary Public Health at the Royal Veterinary College in London. He outlined that the field of veterinary public health was expanding all the time, with vets most likely to be the first port of call in the event of a bio- or agri-terrorism attack, for example.  Hot topics such as TB, BSE, foot and mouth and the interrelationship between animals, man and MRSA were all areas that a student of the subject could expect to encounter.

Professor Tim Skerry, Professor of Orthopaedic Biology at the University of Sheffield, illustrated the excitement and novelty to be gained in a research career with an explanation of the ground-breaking work he is carrying out into the effect of exercise on bone mass. Although it may not be so well paid as working in private practice, a career in research more than compensates with opportunities for travel, variety of work and the thrill of new discoveries, countered Professor Skerry.

One of the benefits of a career in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, according to Colonel Dougie Macdonald, RAVC Postgraduate Dean, was the ability to spend time looking after healthy animals: "We deliver health as opposed to clinical care," he explained. Potential downsides such as limited species exposure, he went on, were balanced by a very supportive working environment, where continuing professional development and lifelong learning are top priorities, together with the opportunity for travel to challenging places such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

Travel to far-flung places is also a key component of a life in veterinary work with zoo animals and in the field of conservation, the students heard from Wayne Boardman, Head of Veterinary Services at the Zoological Society of London, which incorporates London Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park. With day-to-day challenges ranging from TB-testing a dormouse to performing AI on an elephant, students were left with the impression that a career in zoo veterinary medicine would cover a huge amount of ground.

Finally, RCVS Past President Stephen Ware outlined life in private practice. He explained to the students how large animal, small animal and mixed practice differ and gave an overview of the dynamics of the profession today. He also discussed the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, stressing that although students may perceive that veterinary surgery is a very demanding role, the working hours were no more than those of colleagues in other professions at a similar level, and a very short commute was usually a benefit!

In concluding the day, Freda Andrews said: "Thanks to some very stimulating talks, we have gained an insight into a broad range of the career options available to the veterinary graduate - the challenge is choosing which way to go!"

The next Careers Afternoon will be in July 2006 - details will posted online in due course.