Here are some tips for creating a new role or position within the veterinary industry:

• Identify your themes and functions – What are the big picture areas you are passionate about (e.g. education, policy, sustainability) and what specific skills/roles do you want to focus on (e.g. community building, strategic planning, communication)?

• Leverage your network – Reach out to your professional contacts and let them know you are looking to create a new role. They may be able to provide advice, connections, or even opportunities you weren’t aware of.

• Demonstrate initiative and problem-solving – Rather than just waiting for a role to open up, proactively identify needs or gaps in your organization or industry that you could fill. Pitch ideas and solutions.

• Be persistent and patient – Creating a new role takes time. Continue building relationships, doing informational interviews, and refining your ideas. The right opportunity may take time to materialize.

• Highlight transferable skills – Emphasize how your existing skills and experiences, even if not directly veterinary-related, can be applied to the new role you want to create.

• Start small and scale up – Consider starting with a part-time or freelance role first, then growing it into a full-time position as you demonstrate your value.

The key is to be proactive, leverage your network, and focus on how you can uniquely contribute rather than just waiting for the “perfect” job posting. With creativity and persistence, you can carve out a new path for yourself.

This is the first in a three-part series showcasing the diverse talents and career paths within the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS).

Our goal is to highlight the dedicated professionals who have “stay-versified” their careers, moving from clinical practice into unique roles that support the veterinary profession in impactful ways.

In this session, we are excited to feature Emma Cathcart, Russell Roan, and Catherine Oxtoby as they share their journeys from clinical practice to leadership roles in patient safety.

• Emma is a veterinary surgeon and educator specializing in patient safety and human factors.
• Russell, with a background in veterinary practice and the pharmaceutical industry, now serves as VetSafe Manager.
• Catherine, with experience in equine and small animal practice and a PhD in Patient Safety, leads the development of safety systems and research as VDS’s Head of Underwriting and Pricing.

Take this opportunity to gain insights into alternative career paths within the veterinary field, understand the importance of patient safety, and network with fellow professionals.

This series is designed to build trust and awareness of VDS’s broad range of member benefits beyond insurance, emphasising the commitment to supporting the veterinary profession.

Want to come to work at a place that values supporting their community, and is part of a small town feel while also being up-to-date and modern? 

This practice’s clients are gems who own and love to support local, independent businesses, and value the new services and offerings at Thornton Animal Hospital. How did this come about? How can you be part of this cool place?

Watch back our Interview the Boss with Dr. Stefanie Nickerson, owner of Thornton Animal Hospital. They are seeking a small animal vet for their practice. An interest in equine is possible to cultivate here (but not required) as Dr. Stef is an experienced equine vet who is rapidly expanding the equine side of Thornton. You’ll have the space and support to grow with your interests with a younger, innovative staff, and flexibility to leave work at work and enjoy life!

Katie and Claire from Vet Empowered joined Adrian from Vets Stay Go Diversify! for a power hour that will change the way you see personal development.

Together, they bust myths, unravel misconceptions, and share real-life stories of transformation.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the coaching waters, this replay is for you.

Discover the power of coaching, learn how to find the right coach, and how that could change things for you in your career and beyond.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore coaching from every angle.

Watch back our conversation with Sharon Cooksey, a combo career Q & A crossed with an interview about some very cool research looking into perfectionism.

Learn more about Sharon’s squiggly career- from practice to academia to MBA to PhD!

AND hear ore about some fantastic research looking into perfectionism in vet med. What do we know right now in the literature and what is this research hoping to find out?

Host Dr. Melanie Barham spoke with Megan about what she’s learned interviewing over 150 fascinating veterinarians about their careers, how Megan squiggled her career to diversify, and more.

Are you questioning if it’s even possible to work in a supportive workplace in vet med?  Wondering “Maybe it’s me?  Maybe it’s just vet med?”

Then join Jenny Guyat and Cat Auden for an interactive talk about what you can do as an individual or team member to thrive in vet med using Human Factors. 

Learn about Human Factors and how the framework and techniques apply to individuals and teams who want to create positive, supportive workplaces. We’ll also talk about workplaces that are applying Human Factors and how they are seeing changes in their teams.  

Designed for all members of veterinary teams. 

Have you had a hankering for ECC work, but felt you don’t have the skills to dive in? Perhaps you’re looking at ECC as flexible work around other responsibilities?

Watch back our interview with Aoife Reid, Head of Edge Programmes and Clinical Career Progressions to find out more about opportunities and widening access to ECC. 

Advant-Edge is a structured, two-week, paid induction programme designed by ECC diplomats to help make the transition into ECC work as smooth as possible. Course leader Aoife Reid and host Adrian will explore the opportunities this creates for experienced vets to join Vets Now in full time and part-time roles.

We’ll include:

• How the course supports vets, typically with 3 or more years of experience, to up-skill in ECC and join the Vets Now teams in jobs across the UK
• How Vets Now work to assess your experience and find you the most suitable programme
• How the course is structured, with a week at Support Office in Dunfermline, a week using online resources, and a surgical wet lab to hone practical skills.
• When the intakes are and how that is woven into the job at Vets Now
• What makes Advant-Edge so special, setting you up for success from the start through new friendships, support structures, and the benefits of Vets Now employee programmes.

Advant-Edge is a great way to explore a career in ECC, so come and join the chat, ask any questions you have, and as always, enjoy the networking!

It’s time for an update and adding new Preceptors to the team!

You may remember from 2023 that VSGD worked with Mike Cathcart and the team at Harper & Keele to build the job spec and recruit for the Preceptor roles. We ran a series of events and had great engagement from the community about this role, unique as it was at the time.

What’s the state of play after being in the role for 6 months? What’s the impact and what opportunities are there for new Preceptors? It’s an ideal first job in academia for vets and vet nurses with a focus on the coaching, development and employability of the students.

The conversation covered how the team has formed and performed over the last six months, what’s been learned in implementing the Preceptor concept, both by the University and the students.