LIFE AS A VET

By Ellie Franks

QUALIFICATIONS

GCSEs

You will need at strong base of GCSEs including the sciences and

maths in order to be able to take the A-levels you will need to go on

to take a degree. Depending on the university you are applying to

you may A grades in some subjects.

A-levels

You will most likely need three excellent graded A-levels in Biology,

and two out of Maths, Chemistry or Physics. You may also need to

have a distinction in the BTEC Diploma in Animal Science.

TRAINING

Degree

You need to take a veterinary degree in one of an

approved Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

(RCVS) university.

A veterinary degree takes 5 to 6 years after which

you will have to register with the RCVS. Once you

are qualified you will be expected to keep up-to-date

with developments in the industry.

There are around 20,000 registered vets in the UK.

QUALITIES

Prospective veterinarians must have good manual

dexterity. They should have a love for animals and the

ability to get along with animal owners, especially when

working with pet owners, who tend to form a strong

bond with their pet. Veterinarians who intend to go into

private practice should possess excellent communication

and business skills because they will need to

successfully manage their practice and employees and

will need to promote, market, and sell their services.

WORK

All vets are obliged to help deal with emergencies at any time, so in essence you are

permanently on call.

As a vet you could end up working in any of the following sectors:

• General practice (most graduates start here)

• Teaching and research

• Government agencies

• Other sectors eg. Pharmaceutical or wildlife conservation

Veterinary surgeons are medical professionals whose primary responsibility is

protecting the health and welfare of animals and people.

Vets diagnose and control animal diseases, treat sick and injured animals, prevent the

transmission of animal diseases (‘zoonoses’) to people and advise owners on proper

care of pets and livestock. They help to ensure a safe food supply by maintaining the

health of food animals. Vets are also involved in wildlife preservation and conservation

and the public health of the human population.

EXTRA INFO

Typical salary

A typical starting salary is around £30,000 rising to

£50,000 for senior vets.

Vet work between 8 and 10 hours a day, 5 days a

week.

The dress code is usually a uniform given to you by

your work place.

PAY AND PROMOTIONS

Typical salary

A typical starting salary is around £30,000 rising to £50,000 for

senior vets.

There are no specific job title changes. Promotions consist of pay

increases. Most veterinarians get paid by a percentage of the

money they bring into the practice. The longer they work at a

specific place, the higher percentage they make. most start at 18-

20% and work upto 25% over time. Some are offered partnership

in the practice which they have to buy into. Many vets buy their

own clinics and become the owners of their own business.

WHY I MIGHT BE SUITED

I think that I would be suited to be a vet because I

love animals but would be able to still put them

down.

I am quite good at science and maths which I need

for my qualifications.

I think I would work well in a animal loving

enviroment.

INTERESTS IN VETS

I've had a interest in being a vet since I was in

reception, I have always had a love for animals . But

I'm still strong enough to have animals put down if

they are in a lot of pain and the kindest thing to do

for them would to put them to sleep.

This is the one dream that I have always stuck bye.

THOUGHTS

After doing this research I'm still very interested

and committed to the amount of work I will have to

do to be able to get into a good university and then

get a good job as a vet after my training.

THE END

Some areas I could go to if I wanted any more

information.

onlinedegrees.org

The British veterinarian society