Think your vet degree has to end in general practice? Think again, there are alternative veterinary careers ...

Dr Melinda Bell has watched it happen so many times, it’s become a cliché. Idealistic vet student graduates with a sole aim: work in general practice, because “they’re fixated on this idea that otherwise you’re not a real vet”. Then, long days of spaying dogs, euthanising beloved pets, and dealing with difficult clients takes its toll. They become disillusioned. Or worse, severely depressed—with statistics revealing veterinarians are four times more likely than the general population to take their own lives.

Please click here to read more from the Veterinary Practice article.

A few weeks ago I was having a working lunch with three vets. One had just been to a 30-year reunion and so we inevitably got talking about vet schools, what their peers were up to now and the contrast between student life today and several decades ago. I then asked them if they had to recommend a school now, which one would they choose? All three of them immediately replied ‘Nottingham’. (None of them had studied there, incidentally). When I asked them why, they all agreed the school produced good, employable vets. So what is it that Nottingham is doing that is feeding that reputation?

Please click here to read more from the Veterinary Record article.

It is clear to see we have entered a new era of openness and inspiration with regards to veterinary mental health and well-being. From the continued, excellent support provided by the Vetlife team, to the wide range of political, educational and research initiatives given a voice by Vet Futures and RCVS’ Mind Matters, we have front row seats to a paradigm shift in veterinary medicine.

Please click here to read more from the Vet Times article.

Please click here to read VetSet2Go newsletter #3: March 2017.

Please click here to read VetSet2Go newsletter #2: October 2016.

Employability has been a focus of government policy and research during the last two decades, but what does this mean for those in the veterinary profession? What skills do people working in the industry need most to succeed and achieve career satisfaction? To answer these and other questions, those employed in the veterinary field—vets, practice owners, nurses, academics—are invited to participate in the VetSet2Go Employability (Stakeholder Perceptions) Survey from next Monday 19 September. 

Please click here to read more from the Vet Practice article.

The VetSet2Go project aims to shift the focus from competency to success, and improve the employability of new veterinary graduates. The veterinary industry is a tough business. A recent study by the Australian Veterinary Association found that suicide rates among veterinarians in Western Australia and Victoria are around four times that of the general population. While reducing the suicide rate is a complex and difficult issue, it’s becoming clear that graduates entering the profession must be equipped with the skills to negotiate a high-stress industry.

Please click here to read more from the Vet Practice article.

Please click here to read VetSet2Go newsletter #1: June 2016.

A new project to help veterinary graduates make the transition into professional practice and a lifelong successful career has been launched by a group of pioneering vet schools. VetSet2Go is an international collaboration led by academics from Murdoch University, which aims to bridge the gap between undergraduate veterinary courses and employers, client and graduate expectations. Over the next two years, participating vet schools in Australia, the UK and the USA will be consulting with students, new graduates, veterinary educators, employers and clients to develop an evidence-based employability framework and associated teaching methods.

Please click here to read more from the Australian Veterinary Association article.

A new project to help vet school graduates make the transition into professional practice and a lifelong successful career has been launched by an international group of pioneering vet schools. VetSet2Go is an online collaboration involving veterinary education experts from The University of Nottingham and University of Edinburgh, with a group of vet schools in Australia and the USA. 

Please click here to read more from the University of Nottingham & University of Edinburgh joint press release.

With many young vets struggling to find purchase after graduation, mentoring programs are on the rise. Research by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) found a lot of grads feeling isolated and stressed. A group of universities are now implementing a plan to challenge these issues and help young vets get on their feet.

Please click here to read more from the Vet Practice article.

A new project to help veterinary graduates make the transition into professional practice and a lifelong successful career has been launched by a group of pioneering vet schools. VetSet2Go is an international collaboration led by academics from Murdoch University, which aims to bridge the gap between undergraduate veterinary courses and employers, client and graduate expectations. Over the next two years, participating vet schools in Australia, the UK and the USA will be consulting with students, new graduates, veterinary educators, employers and clients to develop an evidence-based employability framework and associated teaching methods.

Please click here to read more from the Murdoch University press release.

Congratulations to Associate Professor Martin Cake and colleagues on securing funding for an exciting new project to help increase veterinary graduate success!

Please click here to read more from the Australian Veterinary Association press release.