How To Get The Most Out Of Your Veterinary Internship
If you are considering attending veterinary school to become a veterinarian, it is a good idea to first work as an intern in a vet's office. This will not only allow you to determine whether or not the job is really for you, but it will also give you more of an idea of what, exactly, you are studying to do as you spend all those long days and nights in school. But how do you ensure you get the most out of your internship in a vet's office? Take a look.
Intern with the type of vet you want to be.
Be discerning when looking for internships. Do not simply take the first one you come by; they are not all the same. If you want to be a small animal vet, intern for a small animal vet. If you want to be an equine vet, intern with an equine vet. Each branch of vet medicine is very, very different, and you won't get a very accurate perception of one field by interning in another.
Take on a substantial number of hours.
Many internship positions have a minimum number of hours you need to complete. But this minimum is usually quite low. If you only spend the required hours per week in the vet's office, your exposure will be limited. See if you can spend a little extra time there to see and experience more. Most vets will be glad to have the extra help and won't turn down your offer.
Ask questions.
There is going to be a lot that you don't know or understand. But here's the good news: vets are really great at explaining things to outsiders. They have to do this with all of their patients' owners, after all. As such, you should not hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind during the internship experience. Ask about vet school, regulations in the industry, the struggles of being a vet — the answers you get in person are more realistic than what you'll read in a textbook.
Get involved.
As an intern, you will often be assigned basic tasks like paperwork, feeding pets in the kennels, and cleaning cages. Completing these tasks is important and will teach you a lot about the industry. But don't be afraid to get more involved. If the vet is willing to let you help hold animals, talk to clients, and review files, jump right in. The more you do, the more you'll learn.
An internship can teach you a lot about a veterinary career. Jump in and follow the tips above when getting your veterinary internship.