This year, I’ve had quite a few students and interns approach me about reviewing their materials for the VIRMP, which I am more than happy to do. I thought, instead of sending individual emails to each, I could write a single blog post and direct them to it. I could also offer my services online. That way, others outside of my institution could also benefit.
I have seen some atrocious applications for vet school, internships, residencies, and faculty positions. Video interviews where the interviewee was backlit. Poorly composed CVs that evaluators had to dig through until they figured ‘why bother’ and stopped considering the applicant. Negotiations where one side or the other acts unwisely or unprofessionally, sinking the whole deal. I have been shocked that no one has mentored students on how to structure their senior year to maximize the impact on their internship application. There is a need for people to get help in their professional progress in veterinary academia. I want to help those people.
This blog will be about employment and professional progression in academic veterinary medicine. From undergrads applying to vet school, veterinary students applying to internship, residency applicants, and faculty applicants. We will talk about cover letters, CVs, interviews, how to strategize to position yourself for the next step, who to talk to and when, and all other things related to the business of veterinary academia.
I have personally experienced this progression and the job market, have served on and chaired countless search committees, have been a hiring manager in my role as a Department Chair, have helped innumerable undergrads, vet students, interns, residents, and junior faculty get to their next step, and have published in peer-reviewed journals about post-graduate education. I have always had an interest in the business of veterinary medicine, I stay up to date on current trends, I touch base with colleagues at other institutions to sound out the academic world. I want to share this expertise with those of you who want to make your professional progression as excellent as possible. Please follow along, comment, email me, and work together to make things better.