A Vet Student's Ultimate Guide to Finding the Right Practice Fit
May 12, 2025
As you approach the final stretch of your veterinary school journey, it’s time to start thinking about your first job as a practicing DVM. Countless hours have gotten you to this point, but now that you're ready to start your career as a veterinarian, how will you know when you've found the right practice? Finding your first job out of vet school is a deeply personal journey that will shape your career and influence how you feel going to work every day. You want a place where you can grow personally and professionally while making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners. Use this guide to help you navigate your choices and discover how to tell if a practice aligns with your values and career goals.
Why is Practice Fit Important?
The right veterinary hospital can set the stage for a fulfilling career through its mentorship, supportive team atmosphere, and career growth opportunities. Ready to make sure your first steps into veterinary practice are both successful and deeply satisfying? Let’s dive into the essentials of finding the right practice fit for you!
.png)
1. Reflect on Your Must-Haves
Remember the process of deciding what you wanted in a vet school or externship? Now is the time to consider what you want in your first job after graduation. What kind of medicine are you most passionate about? What size and style of practice excites you? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, multi-doctor environment, or does a small, close-knit team feel more like home? Taking time to think about your answers can go a long way to help you understand what next step is right for you.
2. Dig Into the Details
You would never want to be unprepared for a surgical procedure or perform an examination without a thorough medical history, right? In the same way, researching the hospitals and veterinary companies you're interested in can help avoid unnecessary complications. Visit their websites, check out social media, and read online reviews. What's their mission? What values do they uphold? Do they have a positive culture? What services do they offer? How do these traits align with your own professional compass? As you research, make a note of whether the hospital or company culture lines up with your must-haves.
.png)
3. Ask the Right Questions
As you step into the interview process, prepare yourself with thoughtful questions that will help you gather more information about the practice. An interview isn't only the team finding out if you're the right fit. It’s also your opportunity to evaluate whether a veterinary hospital aligns with your values and goals.
So, what questions should veterinarians ask in a job interview? Think about what matters most to you. Mentorship makes a considerable difference early in your career, but not all mentorship is equal. Get specific details about mentorship so you can compare the support each practice or company gives to new grads. Are mentors certified? Who makes sure the mentorship relationship stays on track? What support structures are available outside of the mentorship relationship?
Next, ask about support for continuing education, which is a sign they value your growth as a veterinarian. How much CE allowance is provided each year? Are there RACE-approved CE events provided for team members throughout the year?
Work-life balance is another key topic; you want to know if they respect your time outside of work and care about your mental health. Lastly, ask about daily aspects of the job that will affect you: the team culture and medical autonomy. Taking time to ask these questions will help you find the right fit for your career as a veterinarian.
.png)
4. Networking Matters!
Don't underestimate the power of a conversation. Career fairs and conferences are fantastic opportunities to make a personal connection with potential employers and ask questions about what is most important to you. A career fair is a perfect venue to ask detailed questions about benefits and employee well-being programs. Companies and practices should invest in their team members’ physical, mental, and financial well-being, so don’t be afraid to ask! Each conversation will take you one step closer to finding the place to launch a fulfilling career in veterinary medicine. Find Vetcor recruiters at these upcoming events or fill out this contact form to connect with our friendly Talent Acquisition team.
5. Experience the Practice First-Hand
Externships, paid summer jobs, and shadow days are some of the best ways to find the right practice fit after vet school. Hands-on opportunities allow you to observe daily operations, meet the team, and see if the practice aligns with your values. What kind of relationships do they have with their clients? Do team members enjoy their jobs and collaborate on cases? What happens when a team member needs help or advice? Vetcor's extensive network provides hundreds of externship opportunities and paid summer jobs that can take you from the classroom to the exam room. Curious about externships? Contact our University Recruiting team to learn more.
.png)
6. Trust Your Gut
Ultimately, the "best" fit is subjective, and not every hospital is right for everyone. It's about finding a place where you feel supported, challenged, and excited to grow. Pay attention to your gut feelings while interacting with practice and company leadership. Does it feel like a place where you can see yourself thriving? If the answer is no, don't get discouraged. The right practice is out there, and our Talent Acquisition Team is here to help you navigate the ups and downs of your job search.
The Bottom Line
Finding the right practice can take time and effort, but being thoughtful and proactive will help you flourish in vet med. If you’re struggling with your career search or are curious about Vetcor, our friendly Recruiting team can help. Join our Talent Community today or connect directly with a recruiter here.
