Stepping out of vet school and into your first job is one of the most exciting, and often overwhelming, moments in your career. After years of structured learning, you’re suddenly faced with a big question: where do I start?
There’s no single “perfect” first job, but there will be a role that will suit you, your interests, and the way you want to grow more so than others. Taking the time to think carefully about what matters most to you can make all the difference in setting you up for a confident and rewarding start.
Here are five key areas worth focusing on when choosing your first role:
In your first year, support matters more than almost anything else.
You are transitioning from student to clinician, and that takes time. Consults will take longer. Decision-making will feel heavier. That is completely normal.
Look for a practice that recognises this and builds it into their structure. Ask questions like:
How long are consults for new graduates?
Is there protected time for case discussion?
Who will you go to for help during the day?
Will you have protected time with your mentor?
Just as important as structure is culture. A genuinely supportive team, where colleagues are approachable and willing to help, will accelerate your confidence far more than being left to “figure it out” alone.
A good first job should feel like a safe place to learn, not a place where you’re expected to already know everything.
Spending time in a practice before accepting a job is incredibly valuable. A week on the ground allows you to see how the team works together, how they communicate, and how they support one another day to day. It also gives you the chance to spend meaningful time with those who will be mentoring you. This kind of insight is one of the best ways to ensure you are choosing a role that truly feels right for you.
OOH work can be a dividing topic, but for many new graduates it offers an incredible opportunity to grow. With more independent practices opening around the country, offering their own OOH service, there will be more and more job opportunities where this could be part of the role.
Emergency work exposes you to a wide variety of cases, often requiring quick thinking and decisive action. This can rapidly build both your clinical skills and your confidence.
If you enjoyed emergency and critical care during your training, it’s worth considering a role that includes OOH. It often provides:
More hands-on experience
Greater involvement in surgery
Opportunities to lead decision-making earlier in your career
That said, it’s important to ensure the OOH structure is well supported. Ask:
What does their OOH look like? For example, are you on call or in the practice with inpatients?
Is there backup available?
Are nurses experienced overnight?
How often are you on call?
How is the on call part of the job paid?
OOH can be one of the steepest, but most rewarding, learning curves if done in the right environment.
Not everyone enjoys out-of-hours work, and it is important to recognise that early on. If you know it isn’t right for you, that is completely valid, and there are plenty of excellent roles that do not include it. However, if you are unsure, it is worth giving it a try. Many new graduates find that, while challenging, OOH work becomes one of the most rewarding parts of their early career and a key driver of their confidence and clinical development.
After years of placements, many graduates realise just how important location really is.
Long days are part of the profession, and adding a long commute on top can quickly impact your wellbeing. A manageable travel time can make a significant difference to your overall work-life balance.
Think realistically about what works for you. For many, a commute of around 30 to 45 minutes is a sensible upper limit.
Also consider:
Proximity to friends and family
Access to outdoor space or hobbies
Cost of living in the area
Your job is important, but so is the life you build around it.
Your first job doesn’t need to define your entire career, but it should give you exposure to the areas you enjoy.
If you have a particular interest, for example feline medicine, exotics, or surgery, try to find a practice where you’ll regularly see those cases. This keeps you engaged and helps you start developing confidence in areas you care about.
A varied caseload is also valuable, especially early on. It allows you to build a broad foundation before deciding whether to specialise later.
Ask during interviews:
What does a typical day look like?
What species make up the majority of cases?
Are there opportunities to develop specific interests?
Who are the vets you will learn from and what further education have they carried out?
The more aligned the caseload is with your interests, the more motivated and fulfilled you’ll feel in your day-to-day work.
Salary is important, and it’s completely reasonable to ensure you’re being paid fairly compared to your peers.
However, it’s equally important to look beyond the headline number. A strong overall package can significantly enhance your early career development.
Consider:
CPD allowance and support
Paid memberships (RCVS, VDS, etc.)
Mentoring programmes
Holiday allowance
Work patterns and flexibility
A slightly lower salary in a highly supportive, well-structured practice may ultimately be far more valuable than a higher salary in a role where you feel unsupported.
Choosing your first job is not about finding perfection. It’s about finding the right environment for you to learn, grow, and gain confidence.
Prioritise support, think carefully about your lifestyle, and be honest about what excites you. Most importantly, remember that your first job is just the beginning of your career, not the final destination.
If you start in the right place, with the right support around you, you’ll build the foundations for a long and rewarding future in the profession.