CAREERS+08

This term our topic is focusing on careers and excelling our dream.
==My task was to find my ultimate dream and choose a big question, find out the skills you need, where you have to go, skills you will learn, about the job, how long it will take and the pathway to get it!==

Here is the start of my inquiry.
==** Pay Salaries vary, but full-time veterinarians usually earn between $45,000 and $120,000 per year depending on experience, responsibilities and location. Those working in management roles in government or in private industry may earn more than this. Career Progression Veterinarians can move into non-clinical roles such as teaching and/or research, progress into management roles, or establish their own practice. Working Conditions Veterinarians may work in any weather conditions in some or all of the following: **== Many veterinarians, especially large animal veterinarians, may work in rural areas where they will often travel to farms to visit and treat animals. Veterinarians who do small animal work may make house calls
 * 1)       animal hospitals and clinics
 * 2)       farms
 * 3)       quarantine kennels
 * 4)       animal shelters
 * 5)       animal markets
 * 6)       zoos
 * 7)       meat processing plants
 * 8)       research laboratories
 * 9)       pharmaceutical companies
 * 10)       border protection stations (customs)
 * 11)       teaching institutes.

Skills & knowledge

Veterinarians need to have:


 * knowledge of animals and animal diseases
 * animal-handling skills
 * knowledge of animal anatomy, physiology and biology
 * knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology and parasitology
 * skill in treating animals with medicines and performing surgery
 * knowledge of radiography, dentistry and laboratory methods
 * up-to-date knowledge of recent developments in veterinary science
 * communication skills
 * organizational skills
 * problem-solving and decision making skills.

Business management knowledge may also be useful.

Entry Requirements To become a veterinarian, you need to complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Massey University. The first half of the first year acts as a pre-veterinary semester, after which students are considered for entry into the four-and-a-half year professional phase of the course.

Students who have completed previous tertiary study equivalent to the pre-veterinary semester are eligible for cross-credits, and may be able to enter the professional phase of the course directly.

Tasks & duties Veterinarians working in clinical practice may do some or all of the following:


 * work with the client to prevent and treat animal problems and diseases
 * advise on animal nutrition and the care and welfare of animals
 * examine dead animals to find out the cause of death
 * work closely with herd and flock owners to help them achieve their breeding and production goals.

Veterinarians working in other fields may do some or all of the following:

Feeding a dog
 * set standards for the importation of animals or animal products into New Zealand
 * negotiate with other countries to establish health requirements for animals or animal products exported from New Zealand
 * be involved with disease investigation and research and/or co-ordinate national disease control program's
 * teach in tertiary institutes
 * research and advise on animal welfare
 * research and advise on animal breeding and production programmes
 * help pharmaceutical companies develop and market products used on animals.

Fiona Malcolmson administers nutritional programmes for animals Examining an animal

Veterinarians examine animals to diagnose and prevent sickness and diseases

Specialization's

Veterinarians often specialise in treating either large or small animals. Some veterinarians may specialise further, for example in treating wildlife, poultry, horses, farm (production), zoo or companion animals.

What are the chances of getting a job?

The demand for veterinarians is greatest in rural areas and in farm animal practice, but there is also an ongoing demand for veterinarians in small animal practice, government service, teaching, and in other industries such as meat processing.