If a veterinary internships opportunity comes your way, take it. You may learn more from this type of experience than you might otherwise, and veterinary internships are even paid, allowing you to gain experience in your field while earning a living.
Even if a veterinary internship isn't necessary for you to get a degree, you should still consider taking one if it's available to you—here's why.
You learn more with hands-on experience
The hands-on experience you get with veterinary internships cannot be matched with any other training you get while you're in school. The reason why is simple: when you take on your veterinary internships opportunity, you learn how to interact with patients and their owners, learn how to take direction from veterinarians above you, and learn how to work with veterinary assistants and technicians.
As your internship continues and you gain more skills and confidence, you can even be allowed to oversee patients on your own and refer to a veterinarian when you have concerns while still being in control. You can also have assistants and technicians work under you, allowing you to learn how to be a great leader, manage your roles and tasks appropriately, and make positive decisions regarding patient care at the moment on your own.
You get a great recommendation for future hiring
If you wish to work as a veterinarian successfully and get hired on at a clinic of your choosing, it's wise to have a recommendation. You can get a recommendation from your university instructor as well as your veterinary internship director. If you want to work at the clinic you do your veterinary internship at, you may even be able to do this as you complete your internship, allowing you to transition more easily into a permanent veterinary role.
You get to earn a livable wage
Internships aren't known for paying well, if at all, but veterinary internships are an exception. Expect to earn upwards of $28,372 a year as a veterinary intern. Your pay is based on where you live and how far along in your veterinary program you are if you have not graduated yet. After you complete training and internships, expect your potential veterinary income to increase impressively.
Becoming a veterinarian requires years of training, and completing veterinary internships can help you get where you want to be. Your university instructor can point you in the right direction when a veterinary internship opportunity comes along.
