Thriving as a New Grad Vet: Top 5 tips for your first job in practice

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Veterinary Surgeon and Director of Woolton Veterinary Centre, Sarah McVey (BVSc 2016), shares her top tips for Class of 2024's veterinary graduates.

Sarah McVey (BVSc 2016) knows that embarking on your first job can be both exhilarating and daunting. Owner of Woolton Veterinary Centre since 2018 and a supportive presence at Leahurst Careers Fairs, Sarah kindly shares her top tips to help you navigate this new chapter.

“Here are some tips that I wish I had as a new graduate, gathered from personal experience and conversations with many others over the years:

  1. Support, Don’t Compete: Your friends are there to support you, not to compete with you. Everyone’s progress will look different over the first days, weeks and months so try hard to cheerlead each other in the small wins and don’t get bogged down in who did their first solo bitch spay.
  2. Commit to Personal Time: Make sure to schedule at least one weekly personal commitment outside of work, like a gym class, music lesson, or a walk with a friend. Having something to look forward to will provide balance and perspective, help manage stress and serve as motivation to finish work on time and get out and do something for yourself.
  3. Get to Know Your Team: No matter how big or small the team, or what role someone holds, they will be able to offer you some wit or wisdom (or show you how to turn on the computer or find the mop bucket). Getting to know your team as people will help give you a sense of belonging and help in the tougher times or when there are more complex cases.
  4. Break It Down: Approach each day in manageable chunks. Graduates often leave University enthusiastic and wanting to get cracking on with as much as possible, but it's important to master each part and build confidence step by step. Celebrate the small wins that happen every day: Finished a consult, had a happy client and patient and your notes written up and charged up in the allotted 15 minutes? Celebrate it! Navigated your way to a farm despite having no signal to get Google maps? Celebrate it! Talked an owner confidently through a test you want to run and discussed the price whilst communicating the value of what you are doing? Celebrate!
  5. Enjoy the Journey: Being a vet is such a varied and exciting job and you have worked hard to get this far. Remember why you chose this path and the excitement that brought you here. If you can articulate your goals and enthusiasm, then the people around you can help support and nurture you on the next step on your journey.

Starting your first job is a significant milestone. Embrace the experience, learn from every opportunity, and remember to enjoy the journey!"

If you're looking for a graduate opportunity then Sarah and Andrew McVey’s independent membership-only small animal practice in South Liverpool is looking for the next vet to join their team.

Welcome Class of 2024 to the University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association!