Job Prospects

[abcxyz]

I'd like to know what the job prospects are like for recent vet school graduates in Canada, particularly in Ontario.  The SDN forum is all doom and gloom (but they're mostly US-based), and most of the vets I've shadowed have been far from encouraging - lots of complaining about low pay, no jobs, no job stability.  One vet told me he knows a young OVC graduate who is working in retail because she can't find a job as a vet (this was a few years ago so perhaps things have improved).

However, whenever I look at the CVMA classified ads there are always a number of job postings open to recent grads, usually 80K-90K salary for a 40 hour week, often includes a singing bonus, typically little to no on-call, and these are just associate starting salaries - I suspect specialists, ER vets and practice owners can earn significantly more....all this seems pretty good to me, so why is there so much complaining?  Am I missing something?

I'm hoping there might be a few people on this site who are in the know, have friends/family who are vets and can give a clear picture of the job outlook and overall level of satisfaction within the profession. 

[lowenger]

I post jobs at ovc.uoguelph.ca/dvm/opportunities and I can tell you that there is no shortage of jobs available for graduating veterinarians.

Most new vets look for a clinic where there is support and mentoring by their veterinary colleagues.

The veterinary profession has its challenges and rewards. That's why it is so important to get veterinary experience before you apply to the DVM program so you can experience the profession.

[newvet]

There are TONS of job prospects out there for new graduates. Many clinics can't fill positions fast enough and graduates have the luxury of chosing whatever job best fits their career goals. There are pages upon pages of job listings on the CVMA and AVMA websites for new and experienced grads alike.

The job is not all "puppies and kittens" and there are a lot of challenges to it (high stress, overwhelming workload if you don't manage it, euthanasia etc.) but overall it is a very rewarding career for the right candidate.

[wow]

In my opinion, if you're looking to be a vet for the salary and a 40hr work week, you're in it for the wrong reason. The vet I've volunteered with is an emergency clinic and CONSTANTLY low on staffed vets because people don't want to lift a finger once their 9-5 shift is done.

If you're willing to WORK, you'll get a job. Sorry to be truthful!

[Wrong]

These days especially, veterinary graduates on average do not want to spend their entire lives in a clinic. A work-life balance is ACHIEVABLE and is not an unreasonable thing to ask for. The older generation of workaholics has a tough time with this and if the practice owners don't step up to hire more help, clinics end up low on staff. It is not your job as a veterinarian to slave away, sacrificing your own life and mental health, for someone else's practice. Of course, this is entirely different than being a practice owner where the onus is on you to do the work.

Virtually all graduates find a job, regardless of whether they want to be a 9-5er. There is ALWAYS another emergency you can be working on. It is not your job to fix everything and when it is, you end up with a profession-wide suicide rate at 3.5x-4x the national average. Nobody subjects themselves to 7-9 years of school to make 70K/year with no passion behind it. Wow doesn't know what they are talking about.

[abcxyz]

Thanks for posting information and feedback. Sounds like the job market has really picked up compared to a few years back. Hopefully it will stay this way. Good to know that work-life balance is achievable.