Career Explorer > Career Details
| Veterinarian |
$75,230 Annual Average (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics) |
| Career Cluster: Animal Systems | |
| General
Information: Veterinarians are doctors who care for animals by diagnosing illnesses, treating ill and injured animals, vaccinating animals, and providing advice on care and breeding. Veterinarians also work in research, teaching, food safety, public health, and many other areas. DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) or VMD (Veterinary Medical Doctor) degree |
|
| Career
Information: Veterinarians provide health care for animals, but that’s not all; they also play vital roles in public health and human health. Although the majority of veterinarians are in private practice and focus on the health and well-being of small and large animals, there are many career paths open to veterinarians. Aquatic, zoo, poultry, wildlife, exotic, and many other specialties are available, as are positions in academia (teaching pre-veterinary, graduate, or veterinary students), industry (overseeing the research and development of new technologies and drugs), research, disaster response, and many others. Veterinarians in the federal government work for organizations like the USDA, FDA, CDC, and others, safeguarding the nations’ food supply, ensuring the safety of drugs and medical devices, and investigating disease outbreaks. |
|
| Educational
Requirements: PhD |
|
| Suggested High School/Collegiate
Courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Math (Geometry, trigonometry, algebra), English/Writing |
|
| Skills
Necessary: Mathematical , Analytical , Oral Communications , Scientific , Dependable , Patience , Work independently , Decision Making , Computer Skills , Leadership , Management , Detail Oriented , Works under pressure , Technical , Basic Business Principles , Responsible , Customer Service , Logical , Investigative , Good with Animals , Helps Others , Quick Thinking , Steady Nerves , Good Judgment , Inquisitive , Confidence , Persistent , Compassionate |
|
| Job
Availability: Excellent Growth |
|
| Location
of jobs: All over the United States and the world. |
|
| Working
Conditions: Veterinarians in small animal or specialty practice usually treat animals in hospitals and clinics. Those in large animal practice usually work out of well-equipped mobile clinics, and drive to farms and ranches to examine and treat the animals. For veterinarians not in clinical practice, the work environment varies with the career path, such as a research laboratory, veterinary school, or an office. There are risks of injury and disease when working with animals, but safe and responsible handling decreases the chances. Depending on the type of practice, veterinarians can work part- or full-time. |
|
| FFA
Programs that Promote this Career: Agri-Entrepreneurship , Agriscience , CDE: Ag Communications , CDE: Ag Issues , CDE: Ag Mechanics , CDE:Agronomy , CDE: Creed Speaking , CDE: Dairy Cattle , CDE: Horse Evaluation , CDE: Livestock Evaluation , CDE: Poultry Evaluation , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Exploratory , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Research/Experimentation & Analysis , American Degree , Stars Over America , Proficiencies |
|
| Related
Occupations: Agriculture General , Biotechnology , Research/Scientist |
|
| FFA Sponsors/Employers in this Industry: All About Dogs , American Veterinary Medical Association , Beaver Brook FArm , Blue Ribbon Equine , Brigands Hideout, Inc. , Carey Alpacas , Cattleman's Choice Loomix , CMW Trailer Service , Drafty Barn Farm , International Filter Solutions , Reis Ranch , Sweeney Feeders , White Mountain International , zachs farm small pets and more |
|
| Current
FFA Sponsor/Employer Opportunities Available: |
|