Jobs for graduate veterinarians in California

After you have received your qualification from an accredited university, its time to work on your licensure. To start with, this means passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Then it’s onto any state specific licensing you will need. To work in California, you will need to pass the California State Board Exam, which pertains to California laws and regulations governing veterinary practice. After passing this exam you must submit an application to the California Veterinary Medical Board. This application will involve providing proof of your exam results and other documentation such as a background check. 

California also requires veterinarians to complete, on average, 36 hours of continued education every 2 years in order to maintain their license.

Start your job search early: Begin looking for job openings before graduation and get in touch with the hiring manager, networking will boost your chances of landing a position.

Consequently, look for veterinary conferences, workshops, career fairs, connect with professionals you met during school.

Get in touch with a recruiter. Recruiters can help you in both finding new opportunities that fit your skillset, as well as help set up a good position for both you and the employer.

The start of your career can be a very stressful time, but by preparing and getting into the right mindset, you can go far in the veterinary field. 
It’s important to keep client expectations in mind. Their pets are their loved ones and they will often expect perfect outcomes and quick fixes. Consequently, developing good communication skills to be able to set expectations and keep the client informed is important to learn quickly.

Time management is also extremely important. Between managing caseloads, administrative duties, and continuing your education, you can find yourself struggling for space in your calendar. Learning how to prioritize tasks effectively is crucial.

Finally, prepare to take on the emotional toll of the role. It’s important to be able to remain stoic Infront of clients as much as possible, no matter the circumstance, so you can provide the best support you can for them.  Developing a mental health routine can help to mitigate the stress.

Keep these three important things in mind and you will have the perfect start to your exciting career.

Recruiters can play a vital role in helping you find new opportunities for graduate veterinarian jobs, as well as making sure you and your new employer are happy with the outcome.
Read here to learn more about how Global Talent Partners can help you.

An interview is a two-way street with both you and your employer showcasing what you bring to the table.

You can read here to find out the top 10 veterinary questions that will show any employer that you are the right fit for the job. 

Salaries in California vary but are generally very high for the field. The salary will also depend on the size of the practice you join and the caseload you are to be working with, but on average, salaries will range between $120,000 and $150,000 a year.

In California, newly qualified veterinarians have a variety of options when it comes to finding employment, and different types of veterinary practices may offer different working environments and opportunities. Here are some common types of practices and organizations that typically hire newly graduated veterinarians.

The most common type of practice for graduate veterinarian jobs in California is a General Practice. These practices feature a varied caseload and often offer mentorship and on-the-job training to help graduate veterinarians hone their skills.

Animal hospitals are another popular choice. These larger facilities offer comprehensive medical and surgical care, perfect for graduate veterinarians to learn from. These practices also often offer additional perks to the salary, which is comparable to that in private practices.

Some graduate veterinarians also choose to work in animal shelters, providing low-cost care to shelter animals and perform spay/neuter surgeries. The salaries in these practices may be lower than that of a private practice, but some veterinarians deem that a worthy sacrifice to help animals in need. These shelters also offer a unique opportunity to gain experience in preventative care, population health, and surgery.

Yes, there are mentorship programs available in California for newly graduated veterinarians. These programs are designed to provide guidance, support, and professional development as new graduates transition into their veterinary careers.

Private practices often offer both formal or informal mentorship programs for qualified veterinarians, allowing graduates to shadow experienced veterinarians who can provide hands-on training, guidance, and career advice.

Some veterinary graduates also opt for internships and residencies. Internship programs provide structured mentorship and clinical experience in a specialized area of veterinary medicine, such as emergency care, surgery, dermatology, or internal medicine.

Whereas Residency programs are for veterinarians interested in specializing, residency programs are a natural next step after an internship. These programs involve long-term mentorship by board-certified veterinary specialists in various disciplines.