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Veterinarians

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

What you’d do

  • Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
  • Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
  • Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
  • Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
  • Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
  • Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
  • Counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.
  • Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, general care, medical conditions, or treatment options.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
  • Emergency Veterinarian (Emergency Vet)
  • Small Animal Veterinarian (Small Animal Vet)
  • Veterinary Medicine Doctor (DVM)
  • Companion Animal Practitioner
  • Large Animal Veterinarian (Large Animal Vet)

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