Symposium Success!!

Samantha Gerb, Ross University

Experiences, Entry          

            I've always known that I wanted to be a veterinarian. As I got older and started researching the profession I quickly realized that I had a variety of options with a DVM. When I finally came to veterinary school, at Ross University, I became overwhelmed with the plethora of careers I could have. I knew I wanted to be a vet, but I didn't know what kind. Did I want to be a small animal practicing vet? Go into research? Teach? I was completely lost.

            Studying quickly occupied my time and I put career options on the back burner. Then, I got an email encouraging me to attend the 2014 SAVMA Symposium in Colorado. Although at the time I was only in my first semester, I was instantly excited and wanted to go to the symposium. At the time I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I figured it would at least give me a study break and an opportunity to make new friends.

            A couple months later I arrived in Colorado, along with roughly 20 other Ross students. We were all excited and freezing. We were talking about what lectures we wanted to attend, what wet labs we signed up for, and how excited we were to there in general. As I got caught up in all the excitement I thought, “here is the perfect place to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life”.

            I set out the first day of the symposium to gather as much information as possible from as many different people as possible about all the different careers in veterinary medicine. I talked to veterinarians that owned their own practice, to professionals who worked in the pet insurance industry, and people who were in research and development. I was able to sample a little bit of everything.

            The most important thing I learned throughout my information gathering was that I am not alone in my career search. I met many students from different schools who were in the same boat. It was very reassuring to know I wasn’t alone and that students all over the world had the very same fear that I had. Luckily, we were in the right spot. While talking to veterinary professionals, I learned that they were once in my position. A veterinarian that works for the famous Zuku Review told me that she always wanted to be a small practice vet and never in a million years did she think she’d be working with computers for Zuku. She was not the only one; many other professionals shared her experience in being set on one particular job and then ending up on the other end of the spectrum.

            While attending the symposium I was also able to talk with people about other opportunities to further help my quest for the perfect career.  I got to attend a laboratory animal wet lab, where I gained valuable insight into laboratory medicine. During my wet lab I even got to put my skills to the test, which gave me confidence that I am where I need to be. Additionally, I got to meet students from different walks of life and share experiences with them. Attending the symposium was probably the best thing I could have done so early in my education. Upon departure I felt like I had not only figured out what kind of path I wanted to get onto, but also made life long memories and connections with a wonderful group of people.

            Although it’s great to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life, it’s okay if you don’t. The best advice I got from a veterinarian at the SAVMA symposium is to keep your options open and take one step at a time. I’m still juggling the thought of a few different careers, but I feel much better knowing I’m not the only one and I have a better idea of what I want out of my career. I highly encourage anyone who is having trouble committing to a path to attend the SAVMA symposium. Not only can you network and make valuable connections with veterinarians in many different lines of work, but you can also meet students from all over the word. Veterinary medicine is always changing and expanding; your dream job might not even exist yet!