As we move into the ‘new normal’, many vets are considering a change of career. But have you considered changing up your career within the vet industry? The pandemic has created new opportunities that may not have been on your radar, or may not even have existed when you started work as a vet.
Read on to discover some of the new places your next role could take you.
Be a pet detective
Veterinary forensics combines veterinary medicine and law. As a specialist in veterinary forensic pathology, you’ll use your skills to fight crime against animals, helping detectives and lawyers break up dogfighting rings, shut down backyard breeders and rescue abused pets.
Become a specialist
If you’re sick of general practice, consider getting some additional training to become a specialist in the area of veterinary medicine you find most interesting. You’ll be one of the professionals other vets turn to when a case is beyond their abilities.
Work in animal welfare
As an animal welfare specialist, you could help to protect wildlife, get involved in animal rights legislation, create more humane environments for farmed animals, or work for a charity such as the RSPCA.
Fight terrorism
Surprisingly, vets are needed in the fight against terrorism. Your understanding of zoonotic disease transmission could help to protect the country from bioterrorists unleashing lethal diseases through farmed animals. You’ll often find jobs in this area through government and military organisations.
Help shelter animals
Shelter animals and staff have specialist needs that require specialist vets. Working as a shelter vet is a rewarding career that will enable you to make a real difference in the lives of abandoned and abused animals and increase their chances of finding a forever home.
Reduce the suffering of lab animals
Vets have played a key role in legislation to protect lab animals since the 1960s. As a lab animal vet, you’ll ensure humane standards are adhered to, and help design and implement the most appropriate care protocols for each species in each study.
Go beyond dogs and cats
Consider specialising in exotic companion animals, birds, or reptiles and amphibians. These animals often have complex needs, and there are many opportunities to study them in more depth.
Become an animal dentist
Check out the British Veterinary Dental Association to find out about the world of animal dentistry. You can make a whole career as a veterinary dentist or just add it as a specialism to your general practice career.
Help homesteaders
The pandemic has led to a boom in homesteading, with many people keeping chickens, bees, and even goats and sheep in their back gardens, often with no prior experience of animal husbandry. This could offer you the perfect opportunity to add some new species to your practice–and you might get some free eggs and honey out of the deal!
