Vet student CV

Hi, so I'm a fourth year vet student (however I've intercalated after my third year) and I've been wondering about what I can do to improve my CV. I really want to go into referral practice and hopefully do small animal soft tissue surgery but I understand it's super competitive . My intercalated year involves doing research which I will try my best to get published. However, was wondering what else I could do to stand out from the crowd?

Thanks in advance.

Reply 1

lwescott

Have you attended any conferences? I guess they wouldn't ordinarily be put on a CV but would demonstrate a keen interest and be something to talk about at interviews.
They're usually heavily discounted for students and a great for networking, especially if you already know what you want to do. I've been to exotics conferences in three countries and it's often the same people speaking/attending them so great for meeting people. You can also volunteer as a steward or similar in return for a free ticket.

EMS at a referral centre with a surgery bias would be a good start if you haven't done that already.
Spending time in a neuter clinic (at home or abroad) is also a great way to improve soft tissue surgery skills.

Reply 2

Gabriellameow

Thanks for the reply!

So im planning to do a spay and neuter clinic in India this summer. As for ems at a referral practice, I’ll try and apply for an externship once I get to fourth year.

what conferences did you manage to go to? I assume you want to go into exotics? What type of stuff have you done for it?

I missed the London vet show who I know takes stewards :frown:

I’m not sure what other ones there are

Was just wondering what else I could do...

(Original post by lwescott)Have you attended any conferences? I guess they wouldn't ordinarily be put on a CV but would demonstrate a keen interest and be something to talk about at interviews.
They're usually heavily discounted for students and a great for networking, especially if you already know what you want to do. I've been to exotics conferences in three countries and it's often the same people speaking/attending them so great for meeting people. You can also volunteer as a steward or similar in return for a free ticket.

EMS at a referral centre with a surgery bias would be a good start if you haven't done that already.
Spending time in a neuter clinic (at home or abroad) is also a great way to improve soft tissue surgery skills.

Reply 3

Gabriellameow

Oh also I’m planning to go to the AVS student Congress and BSAVA student Congress ... that’s not the same as a conference though right ?

Reply 4

animalmagic

Original post by Gabriellameow

BSAVA Congress takes student stewards I think. I was a student steward at BEVA Congress too back in the 80s :biggrin:

Reply 5

lwescott

Are you going to India with WVS? I went last year and back for a month this summer, you'll have a great time!

Yeah I'm interested in exotics (mainly avian) so have been to BVZS, TEWZIC in Romania and smaller one in Slovakia with John Chitty. I've done loads of placements with poultry, birds of prey and avian vets but think it will be a few years before I specialise in anything.
I think most have student stewards, BSAVA and BVZS definitely do. BSAVA also have a student bursary with a free ticket and £200 expenses so definitely apply for that!

I wouldn't worry too much about standing out, everyone you speak to specialised via a different route and often just fell into it!

Reply 6

Gabriellameow

Original post by lwescott

Yeah I'm going with WVS! What is it like? How many ops do you manage to get through?

Reply 7

lwescott

Slightly biased but it is the best neuter clinic/course :tongue:

You work in pairs and do two surgeries a day, then maintain and monitor anaesthesia for your partners two surgeries. I also did pregnant *****es, a pyo and scrotal ablation, scrubbed in exlaps and a hindlimb amputation so it depends on what comes in. I went on a couple of Rabies vaccination drives and they are awesome days, can be tiring as there's a lot of walking but you get to see the real India visiting lots of villages.

Sorry to hijack the thread - if you have any questions feel free to message me. Goa is generally warm but if you're going to Ooty it gets cold at night so pack layers!