Face-to-Face connections fuel success at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Expo 2025

The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) hosted its annual Veterinary Expo on March 7/8th at Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium. The event brought together students and employers in the South End Zone University Club, facilitating valuable career connections and opportunities.

The expo followed a Friday evening networking reception where students had their first opportunity to meet potential employers in a more casual setting, kicking off a weekend dedicated to shaping the future of veterinary care in the region.

With dozens of employers and over a hundred students expected, the event showcased the vital importance of in-person networking in the veterinary profession, particularly for students seeking externships and career opportunities.

Building professional pathways beyond the Teaching Hospital

A primary focus of the expo was helping students secure externships — supervised hands-on learning experiences in real-world veterinary settings that complement the clinical training students receive at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. While veterinary students gain extensive clinical experience through rotations at the hospital, externships provide additional exposure to different practice environments, specialties, and client populations.

"This is a great opportunity for first through fourth-year students to meet employers, network, build relationships for externships, internships, and ultimately employment," said Jessica Black, director of student success at VMCVM.

The timing was perfect for second-year student Monica Walton in the public corporate track. "I'm trying to find externships for my third year this summer,” Walton said. “I'm looking for exotics or public health rotation."

Fellow second-year Julia Pitts from the small animal track appreciated the event's specialized focus: "Most job expos are geared for fourth-year students. Attending as a second-year student has been really beneficial. Events like this help narrow down what specifically we're looking for."

Diverse career paths on display

The expo featured representatives from various veterinary fields, reflecting the diverse career paths available to graduates.

Sydney Lallier, a second-year mixed animal track student, found more opportunities this year: "Last year, I only saw a lot of small animal opportunities, and I was really seeking mixed practices. As soon as I walked in this year, mixed practice was right there. Everyone has been so excited to meet a mixed tracker and very willing to work with what your interests are."

The event also highlighted emerging areas of practice. Michael Puglisi, a second-year small animal track student, described his career aspirations: "My main goal is to be certified in physical rehabilitation and utilize continuing education to gain more orthopedic and advanced soft tissue surgery skills so I can pair those together."

Employers seek early connections

For employers, the expo provided access to promising talent in a field where recruitment is increasingly competitive.

Ashton Slawinski, student recruiter for Southern Veterinary Partners (SVP), attended to make connections with younger veterinarians potentially wanting to work in their network. SVP is a veterinarian-owned and managed network of over 400 animal hospitals across 25 states, serving more than 2 million patients annually. The company offers various veterinary services, from general practice to specialty care.

"We love connecting with the students," said Slawinski. "The venue is awesome, and it's been great meeting students at different educational stages."

Addy Alfman, campus recruiter for National Veterinary Associates, emphasized the importance of starting relationships early: "For first-years, I just want them to know who we are. Second-years should start thinking more about externships, and by the fourth year, I hope they come to work for us."

Value of face-to-face networking

Students and employers alike emphasized that online networking can't replace in-person connections.

"In-person connections are the most valuable because they put a face to your personality," said Monica Walton, Class of 2027 and looking for a career in public/corporate. "It's absolutely valuable, rather than just an email when they don't know who you're talking to yet."

Shannon Lamastra, a second-year small animal track student, found the experience more manageable in her second year. "Last year it was a little more overwhelming as a first year,” Lamastra said. “This year, now that we're doing externships and getting ready for that, it's getting more real and more exciting." 

Advice for future students

When asked what advice they would give first-years, students emphasized stepping outside their comfort zones.

"Be open and talk to people and get out of your comfort zone because that's how you make connections," Walton advised.

Vincent DiNenna, a second-year small animal track student, found value in refining his professional introduction. "I gave my elevator pitch, which was good,” DiNenna said. “I feel like I got to hone that in."

Sydney Lallier encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity. "I would not have as many chances as I have now without attending," Lallier said. “I wouldn't have known to look up these companies or how to contact them directly."

Looking ahead

As the veterinary profession evolves, events like the VMCVM Expo represent crucial touchpoints for students navigating their career paths.

"We had somebody who just came through who's a fourth-year student," Jessica Black noted. "She met her employer here a year or two ago, and now she's going to be employed by them."

In a field where personal connections remain paramount, the expo continues to prove that face-to-face networking creates opportunities that digital interactions simply cannot match.

"There's so many opportunities for all of us," said David Gigliotti, a second-year mixed animal track student. "The connections we make here are helping shape our entire professional future."