Making Connections for My Future

Last weekend, I attended the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Job & Externship fair, and talking with veterinarians from clinics and hospitals across Texas was a blast!

As a second-year veterinary student, it is very important for me to see what is out there and where I can have my future externships. Those in attendance included small animal hospitals, mixed animal hospitals, and corporation practices, so it was a good variety of different types of clinics.

I am interested in small animal medicine, so I talked with small animal emergency hospitals as well as general practice hospitals and even a few small animal clinics that see exotics, which I am also very interested in.

It was so great to be able to talk with people from these clinics in person, so I can get an idea of which have externships during the summer or even for fourth year. It’s so exciting that so many places are willing to host veterinary students to teach and also hire new graduates in the future.

We are so fortunate that there are so many jobs in the veterinary market right now, so there is so much choice when it comes to where we might end up after graduation.

Probably the best part of the fair was getting invited to dinner by one of the clinics I talked to. It was a three-clinic practice in Dallas, which is where I am from. Two of the practice owners hosted a few other veterinary students and me at Napa Flats.

It was a great opportunity to learn more about their practice and what we can do at their externship. We had great conversations about the future of veterinary medicine and they gave us great career advice on how important mentorship is in your first job after graduation.

It is so important for us as veterinary students to make connections with current practicing veterinarians.

These are people who can answer our questions about post-veterinary school life and can give us guidance on how to find jobs. They can also host us for externships and will be great teachers who can influence on how we practice medicine in the real world.

It was such an honor to talk with so many leaders in our field. I can’t wait to get out into clinics this summer, so I can see what I have learned in school and how it translates to the real world.

Adventures at Aggieland Safari

Because most of my animal experience is centered around small animals, I am constantly seeking opportunities to diversify my knowledge of veterinary medicine to prepare me for veterinary school and the application process.

Over the summer, I finally had the chance to enter the world of exotic animals!

With the opening of Aggieland Safari, an interactive, drive-through zoo, I jumped at the opportunity to work with a plethora of different species. As a veterinary intern, I assist the veterinarian in surgeries, treatments, and observation of the zoo animals.

Six months later, I have worked with an assortment of animals, including, oryx, zebras, reptiles, macaws, silver foxes, camels, and so much more!

A typical day at the park consists primarily of medicating animals. Additionally, I will walk around exhibits and examine animals to make sure everyone looks OK. Finally, I will help zookeepers feed animals and clean enclosures.

Through this education, I have also become more comfortable with these animals. Although I always practice caution and awareness around all animals, I am no longer as apprehensive of animals I interact frequently with, such as binturongs and African grey parrots.

Speaking of binturongs, my favorite animal to feed is a binturong named Poppy. She received her name because a chemical in the urine of binturongs smells like buttery popcorn!

Binturongs look like a combination of a small bear and cat. However, they are actually civets and are originally from Southeast Asia.

Although they are carnivores, Poppy loves her strawberries and watermelon! During hotter days, we will freeze a variety of fruit in water and give her these popsicle-like creations. It provides a source of entertainment for her and cools her down!

In fact, because she is so motivated by food, medicating her is a lot easier! All I have to do is treat her with a strawberry and she happily takes her medicine.

As my journey through veterinary medicine continues, I am so excited to continue to learn with amazing animals, like Poppy.

Later this winter, I am travelling to Belize to intern at the Wildlife Institute and continue my studies of exotic animals. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store!