Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine workshop highlights the AVMA's support for career transition
The Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine presented a career transition workshop for veterinarians Sept. 16-17 at the veterinary college’s College Park, Md., campus.
More than 30 veterinarians and students attended the event to explore new career options and pathways to transition.
“There is a convergence of economic challenges and emerging opportunities for veterinarians across multiple arenas in the public and corporate sectors,” said Dr. Valerie Ragan, director of the center. “We are privileged to provide this workshop for veterinarians.”
Dr. Patricia Wohlferth-Bethke from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Membership Services discussed various ways the AVMA supports career transition, including job postings, job searches, and career tips. Dr. Ashley Morgan, from the AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division, discussed the AVMA Congressional Science Fellowship and American Association for the Advancement of Science fellowships, which provide veterinarians with opportunities to explore new professional paths with the federal government.
Veterinarians who have made career transitions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Army, non-profits, corporations, state government, and academic careers also presented on future job opportunities and their personal experiences.
“Veterinarians are playing expanding goals in a rapidly changing world, ranging from food safety, disaster response, and emerging disease surveillance to nation building,” said Dr. Rene Carlson, AVMA president. “Training students and graduate veterinarians for these roles will be critical, and I applaud the leadership of the Center for Public Corporate Veterinary Medicine.”
Carlson added, “The AVMA is committed to assisting its members in reaching their personal and profession goals and has supported these efforts through the Membership and Field Services Division to help veterinarians prepare for and find new, meaningful, and exciting careers.”
