Cornell, Mays Discuss Successful Second Job Fair

Dr. Cornell and Dr. Mays

During College Hour on Nov. 16, Dr. Karen Cornell, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) associate dean of professional programs, and Dr. Glennon Mays, the director of recruiting and student services, discussed the 2018 Veterinary Job & Externship Fair.

In partnership with the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA), the CVM hosted the second annual event on Nov. 3, during which practices from all over Texas came to meet with students and discuss internships, externships, and job positions.

This year 123 practices attended the event, an increase from last year’s attendance.

Small and mixed animal-focused practices made up the majority of those in attendance, but the numbers of shelter medicine, ER, and equine practices increased over last year.

The CVM divided practices across the state into 11 regions to organize them in the Veterinary & Biomedical Education Complex (VBEC). Ten of the 11 regions were represented, including the West Texas and Panhandle regions.

First- and second-year veterinary students attended the event to network and seek learning opportunities and employment during their summer breaks from veterinary school.

For the first time, this year, their attendance was required as a part of their Professional & Clinical Skills course. Feedback from the students was uniformly positive, with many commenting on how much they enjoyed interacting with the practice representatives.

The practitioners were excited about the first- and second-year students attending the job fair this year.

Third- and fourth-year veterinary students met with practices during the second half of the event. Third-year students worked to make connections for externships, and fourth-year students sought information about practices with whom they want to pursue employment.

Student feedback about the job fair was very positive. Students enjoyed seeing all the learning opportunities available to them from the variety of practice types in attendance. They also said they were pleased to see that veterinary students are in high demand by Texas practices.

Some changes have already been planned for next year’s veterinary job fair, including requiring third-year students to attend along with those in first and second years. Hopefully, the event will continue to grow, allowing for even more connections to be made in the years to come.


Print
Show Buttons
Hide Buttons