Career Paths of Australian Veterinarians

How many veterinary graduates continue with veterinary science? What causes them to continue, or to leave, veterinary work? Why do some go in one direction, others in another? This book provides answers to these questions and many more. It is based on the experiences and views of more than 2000 Australian veterinarians who have participated in surveys over the last 15 years. In particular it describes the background, experiences and opinions of 154 students who started the veterinary course at The University of Queensland in 1985 and 1986, and who completed detailed questionnaires during their course and over the first 10 years after they graduated.

The first half of the book traces their career paths and the factors that influenced them, as well as their opinions on their education, their profession, success, prestige and the future. In the second half, threads from the longitudinal study are drawn together with those from national surveys of recent graduates, employers and veterinarians generally and from the work of others, to provide a critical account of six key issues: selection of students, veterinary education, getting a job and settling in, gender in the veterinary profession, and the number and distribution of veterinarians. It also includes an extensive bibliography on veterinary education, veterinarians and the veterinary profession.

This is the first objective account of the life and work of veterinarians to be published anywhere in the world. It will provide answers to many questions asked by prospective veterinary students, their parents and guidance officers, as well as veterinary students and veterinarians contemplating their careers, and any person with an interest in veterinary science or professions generally.

The author is a former Dean of Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland and was inaugural winner of the AVA Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has a lifetime of involvement in helping others achieve their goals and aspirations in relation to their careers.