The big and shiny work experience bible

Original post by bilakilla

I live in the middle east where there are no farms, or such. I can barely get any of the work exp done, bar small vet practices. What should I do?

I do believe at least some of the universities take location into account because of issues like yours but to be sure I would check with each individual admissions office as they will likely all have different policies and approaches.

Reply 1745

bilakilla

1

I’m currently in year 11, 4/5 months away from GCSEs. If I do work experience now, will it count for my uni application? (Also thank you to @animalmagic - not really informed on how this website works!)

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 1746

Original post by bilakilla

I’m currently in year 11, 4/5 months away from GCSEs. If I do work experience now, will it count for my uni application? (Also thank you to @animalmagic - not really informed on how this website works!)

Again, it will depend on the university, their policies all vary. Work experience is never wasted though even it it doesn’t count, you just need to keep doing some. Apart from lambing that needs to be done at Easter the summer holidays is often the best time to do some as then it doesn’t interfere with your school work! PS keep a diary/log of what you do while in work experience, you’ll find it invaluable when you come to apply and hopefully get interviews 😊

Reply 1747

ReadingMum

19

Also ask for written references if you can get them. Some unis want to see them (on headed paper if poss) as evidence.

Reply 1748

laurakyna

11

Original post by tiny_tiger

Yep Ive been to a dairy farm in devon where they will put you up for peanuts, usually £100 for a week but that includes bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, transport, drinks, all the snacks you want etc etc for 5 days/nights which is pretty reasonable!

Sorry for stalking you 11 years later, but by any chance if you're still on here, do you have the details for this farm so I can ask if they still do that? Thanks!

Reply 1749

Possibly a silly question but would work experience in a hatchery count ?

Reply 1750

I don't think you could count it as a core week but if all the normal placements are done then I think it would be an excellent and unusual "icing on the cake" placement as is an abattoir or laboratory. It might be the one that would be picked on to chat about at interview for example as it isn't a common thing to have done.

Original post by Mumofhopefulvet

Possibly a silly question but would work experience in a hatchery count ?

Reply 1751

Thank you @animalmagic. What do you mean core weeks? She when she submitted application she had 102 hours small animal vet so 2 and a half weeks. 60 hrs lambing and another 20hrs dog walking for a local charity. Since then she helps out at a small goat dairy each week and has just signed up to volunteer at rspca dog walking for now but will hopefully lead to more. E-mails sent to numerous vets and farms. Just heard back as a yes for alpaca farm and animal park. Just gets so confusing. What she really needs is some more vet specifically large animal

Original post by animalmagic

I don't think you could count it as a core week but if all the normal placements are done then I think it would be an excellent and unusual "icing on the cake" placement as is an abattoir or laboratory. It might be the one that would be picked on to chat about at interview for example as it isn't a common thing to have done.

Reply 1752

I would consider the core animal husbandry placements to be cattle(beef or dairy), lambing, dogs(or cats) and equine. I would consider abattoir/zoo/exotics/lab/pig/poultry to be very advantageous but not essential. Re vet experience I would recommend large animal or mixed practice experience ideally as well as at least two different small animal practices. Did you daughter apply this year? Does she have offers or is she re-applying? If you are not getting responses to emails try visiting and handing in a letter and CV FAO the practice manager. The universities do realise which placements are harder to come by than other and usually do make allowances, you just need to be sure she has met the minimum requirements for where she applies to.

Original post by Mumofhopefulvet

Thank you @animalmagic. What do you mean core weeks? She when she submitted application she had 102 hours small animal vet so 2 and a half weeks. 60 hrs lambing and another 20hrs dog walking for a local charity. Since then she helps out at a small goat dairy each week and has just signed up to volunteer at rspca dog walking for now but will hopefully lead to more. E-mails sent to numerous vets and farms. Just heard back as a yes for alpaca farm and animal park. Just gets so confusing. What she really needs is some more vet specifically large animal

Reply 1753

She will be a reapplicant next year. Rejected this year post interview at rvc and Surrey, pre interview 6 year Notts in March and rejected Bristol in March having been on hold since December. She has the w/e requirement 2 vet practices she is now working on getting those grades, loads of additional experience and improving her confidence.

Original post by animalmagic

I would consider the core animal husbandry placements to be cattle(beef or dairy), lambing, dogs(or cats) and equine. I would consider abattoir/zoo/exotics/lab/pig/poultry to be very advantageous but not essential. Re vet experience I would recommend large animal or mixed practice experience ideally as well as at least two different small animal practices. Did you daughter apply this year? Does she have offers or is she re-applying? If you are not getting responses to emails try visiting and handing in a letter and CV FAO the practice manager. The universities do realise which placements are harder to come by than other and usually do make allowances, you just need to be sure she has met the minimum requirements for where she applies to.

Reply 1754

Perfect, she'll have learnt a lot from her interviews this year and as long as she gets the grades she'll be in an excellent position to get offers for next year :smile:

Original post by Mumofhopefulvet

She will be a reapplicant next year. Rejected this year post interview at rvc and Surrey, pre interview 6 year Notts in March and rejected Bristol in March having been on hold since December. She has the w/e requirement 2 vet practices she is now working on getting those grades, loads of additional experience and improving her confidence.

Reply 1755