The Future Is Mine: Job Shadowing

1. The Future Is Mine: Job Shadowing • By: Nicole

2. Introduction • Occupation and Title: Dr. Rebecca Krejci DVM • Equine veterinarian from Canon Hill Veterinary Clinic in Washington, PA • She started by shadowing a small animal veterinarian at the age of six. • Her connection with animals and the love of horses drove her to become a veterinarian. • After graduating, she moved to Montana to pursue her goal, until she became homesick and found a job close to home.

3. Qualifications • To become an equine veterinarian no equine experience is needed • A high school diploma and a bachelor's degree is required . • You may study as an undergraduate for four years but this is not required. • After schooling, you must apply and be accepted into a veterinary program for four years.

4. Qualifications • High school educational background in biology, chemistry, and trigonometry. • You must interview in front of two separate doctors on the board of veterinary medicine • Tests taken… • GRE • VCAT

5. Qualifications • Experience required: comfort level with animals and also a background working with animals • Must have a good personality with humor, compassion, and major people skills. • A technological background is not required because the experience and knowledge comes from the company.

6. Duties • Work at least a ten hour work shift • Four days plus Saturday = fifty hours minimum • Four days plus weekend = sixty hours maximum • Spring and summer are the busiest times of the months, while fall and winter are slightly slower. • Much hands-on experience is required… • Giving injections (intramuscular and intravenous), dealing with emergencies and critical conditions

7. Duties • Overseeing other veterinarians on staff and the veterinary technicians • Depending on the vet-tech to assist you in need of help, the owners for cooperating with the vet, and lastly the cooperation of the horse. • Only when you are on call for the day do you take your work home • Scheduling and appointment times depend on the vets

8. Salary and Benefits • Salary ranges from $45,000 average starting out to $200,000+ • Average range is $50,000-$100,000 • Employer pays for continual education and have chances for bonuses • Raises can be earned through outstanding dedication and years of service

9. Personal Satisfaction • Best part of the job is working with the horses and helping them in any way possible. • Worst part is being on call and losing family time during emergencies. • Keeping up with technology by installing a new computer system in the clinic to keep better records of the horses and owners

10. Personal Satisfaction • Away from work you have a three day weekend but the hours in between can be difficult on the family and is only reached through an understanding spouse. • Further opportunities in this field are... • Further degrees – PHD • Board certified in specific area • Teaching at universities • Saving animals lives or allowing the suffering to end is the best satisfaction given.

11. Advice and Future Advancements • Advice to a student: “Family is the number one priority! Do not let the job ruin your family because of the hours. IT IS JUST A JOB!” • Future changes: Incorporating a family into the job by having multiple doctors on call to even the work load. For large animals there will be a 3:1 ration from women to men. Also there will be an increase in small animal vets and a scarce supply for large animal vets.