What are the Pluses and Minuses of a Veterinary Career?
The pluses and minuses of a veterinary career vary. They depend on the stage of a veterinarian’s career, the type of practice, and the veterinarian’s likes and dislikes. The primary reward for all veterinarians is the personal satisfaction in knowing that they are improving the quality of life for animals and people. Veterinarians who are employed by government agencies, laboratories, colleges, and commercial firms often have responsibility for large health programs and may manage large numbers of people. Most veterinarians work in private clinical practice, which has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Veterinarians in private clinical practice gain satisfaction from helping owners keep their animals well and from treating sick and injured animals. Veterinarians in private practice serve a variety of animals. This is especially true in companion animal practice because of the increased popularity of pet birds, small mammals (e.g., hamsters, gerbils), and fish. Today, a veteri
