Welcome to the official site of The Association of Veterinary Students
Connect:
|
|||||
|
Find out about the discussions that took place at the
British Veterinary Association Congress 2011,
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
Navigation
- Want to be a Vet?
- Education
- Welfare
- Extra mural studies (EMS)(Members Only)
- Finance(Members Only)
- Committee
- Privacy Policy
- Terms & Conditions
Want to be a Vet?
We thought that AVS Senior Vice President, Jen Hall would have all the answers!
When did you decide to become a Vet?
When I was 15.
What does a Vet do?
I can't really answer this directly as I'm not a vet yet, but from the EMS I have seen and the rotations I have done so far I think the question should be, what doesn't a vet do?!? It seems to depend on the career path you take when you qualify, if you are a farm animal practitioner, which is what I would like to be then your jobs range from doing routine fertility visits, caesarians and other emergency calvings, management advice, cow foot trimming, administration of medication, the list is endless. At the moment as a final year student I try to practice as many practical techniques as I can and also try to reinforce all my lecture teaching whenever I can with real life cases.
What does your typical day as a Vet student involve?
It depends which rotation I am on. Currently, I am on an equine rotation with a long commute, so I go to work at 6.45am where we start rounds at 8am. We then see cases, go an calls, see surgery all day. Often there is a seminar at lunch time. We tend to finish the day with rounds at 5.30pm. When I get home around 6.30 ish I go on a run or go to the gym if I have time, revise anything I need to for the next day, check email, sort out AVS stuff eat dinner, watch TV and go to bed! It's very mundane I'm afraid, but you don't have much energy for anything else during the week, especially with early mornings. Once it's the weekend if not on call then we tend to all go to the local pub and catch up with the weeks gossip!
Do I need to be really clever to become a Vet?
No! I was not scientifically minded in the slightest when I applied to vet school. I took my 3 A-levels in Science, but I only achieved Bs, so I didn't get to take my place at Bristol. As a result I studied animal science as a degree and then re-applied following that. I am a practical person, I retain information much better from doing things rather than from a textbook. You don't have to be an A-grade student to be able to study at vet school, but you generally need the grades to get in. You do need to have stamina and discipline to work hard though.
What subjects do I need to study in school?
I imagine 3 sciences are the best to have, or maybe Maths too.
Do you work long hours as a vet student?
Yes, sometimes. It depends which year you are in and which module you are taking at the time. Every day was 9til5, but somedays were longer as I needed to do extra study after vet school.
What type of personal skills are essential in becoming a vet?
Drive and determination and a realisation that althought it's not always a walk in the park, everyone else in your year is generally in the same position as you and the positives outweigh most of the tricky times. Don't be too proud to ask for help when you need it!
What is your least favourite part of being a vet student?
Unpaid and unfunded EMS.
What is your favourite part of being a vet student?
Being in final year and knowing that all this study was truly worth it - it's such a sense of achievement.
How do I get work experience?
Phone and write to vet practices. Be a positive and friendly person and always take an interest in what you are doing at the vets then they will be pleased to have you back. Remember it doesn't have to be at the vets - catteries, kennels, wildlife parks and charities are always keen to have volunteers.
-