When you think of a veterinary career, you might picture a vet working in practice, seeing patients and carrying out surgery. However, veterinary qualifications and experience can open the door to many careers outside of clinical practice.
For veterinary professionals looking for a change, there are a variety of non-clinical roles where their knowledge and skills can still be put to good use.
Veterinary professionals can work in research within universities, laboratories and animal health organisations. Research roles can cover areas such as animal diseases, treatments, vaccines, nutrition and animal welfare.
This can be a good option for those who enjoy the scientific and investigative side of veterinary medicine.
Government veterinary roles can involve animal health, disease control, food safety, public health, animal welfare and veterinary policy.
These positions allow veterinary professionals to use their expertise on a wider scale, rather than working with individual patients.
The pharmaceutical and animal health industries offer a range of opportunities for veterinary professionals. Roles can include clinical research, technical support, regulatory affairs, product development and providing scientific advice.
These positions can also offer opportunities to develop skills in business, communication and project management.
For those who enjoy teaching and sharing their knowledge, working in education can be a rewarding alternative. Veterinary professionals can teach students at universities and veterinary schools or provide training and professional development for other veterinary professionals.
Veterinary consultants use their knowledge and experience to provide specialist advice to businesses, animal health organisations and other clients.
The work can vary considerably and may include clinical advice, regulatory guidance, business projects or animal health consultancy.
There are also opportunities within areas such as:
Animal welfare charities
Veterinary writing and publishing
Regulatory and compliance
Insurance
Veterinary recruitment
Business and practice management
A veterinary career doesn't have to mean working in clinical practice. Research, government, pharmaceuticals, education and consultancy are just some of the options available to veterinary professionals looking for a different direction.
With a combination of veterinary knowledge and transferable skills, there are plenty of opportunities to build a rewarding career outside of the consulting room.