STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
High School Students
What is a veterinary job shadow?
A job shadow is a real life work experience in which students learn about the general practice of veterinary medicine. Although this experience is entirely hands-off, students are encouraged to ask questions between cases. Expectations include a day long unpaid learning experience. Through this experience students will:
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Extend career exploration beyond the classroom setting
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Develop a professional relationship for a WMVS veterinarian who has the ability to answer questions relating to their position, experience and education.
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Be inspired to achieve future career goals.
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Celebrate the human-animal bond
Typical job shadows are one day and will take place in the clinic. Hours differ between veterinarians; shadows will have a set start time for each day, but the end time can vary based upon the time of the year, the veterinarian’s schedule, and any emergency calls.
Students are accountable for:
○ Confidentiality
○ Professional appearance and demeanor
○ Come prepared with appropriate attire /equipment
○ Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
○ Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application Process
Students interested in applying for a High School Shadow Experience at WMVS must by 16 years of age or older and be enrolled in high school with an interest in veterinary medicine. Interested students are required to submit a completed application a minimum of 60 days before anticipated date of Shadow Experience.
If you’re interested in applying to our High School Job Shadow Program please:
Pre-Veterinary Undergraduate Students
What is a veterinary job shadow?
A job shadow is a real life work experience in which students learn about the general practice of veterinary medicine. Although this experience is entirely hands-off, students are encouraged to ask questions between cases. Expectations include a day long unpaid learning experience. Through this experience students will:
-
Extend career exploration beyond the classroom setting
-
Develop a professional relationship for a WMVS veterinarian who has the ability to answer questions relating to their position, experience and education.
-
Be inspired to achieve future career goals.
-
Celebrate the human-animal bond
Typical job shadows are one day, although multiple day opportunities may be arranged depending on availability. Hours differ between veterinarians; shadows will have a set start time for each day, but the end time can vary based upon the time of the year, the veterinarian’s schedule, and any emergency calls.
Students are accountable for:
○ Confidentiality
○ Professional appearance and demeanor
○ Come prepared with appropriate attire /equipment
○ Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
○ Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application Process
Students interested in applying for an Undergraduate Shadow Experience at WMVS must be enrolled in an undergraduate college/university program with an interest in applying to a veterinary or veterinary technician program. Interested students are required to submit a completed application a minimum of 60 days before anticipated date of Shadow Experience.
If you’re interested in applying to our High School Job Shadow Program please:
Pre-clinical Veterinary (Didactic)
What is a veterinary job shadow?
A job shadow is a real life work experience in which students learn about the general practice of veterinary medicine. Veterinary students with AVMA PLIT insurance may have opportunities for a more hands-on experience similar to a clinical student’s experience but typically for a shorter duration:
-
Extend career exploration beyond the classroom setting
-
Develop a professional relationship for a WMVS veterinarian who has the ability to answer questions relating to their position, experience and education.
-
Be inspired to achieve future career goals.
-
Celebrate the human-animal bond
Job shadow commitment will vary depending on availability. Students typically commit to one day to begin, and additional days can be arranged subject to availability. Hours differ between veterinarians; shadows will have a set start time for each day, but the end time can vary based upon the time of the year, the veterinarian’s schedule, and any emergency calls.
Students are accountable for:
○ Confidentiality
○ Professional appearance and demeanor
○ Come prepared with appropriate attire /equipment
○ Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
○ Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application Process
Students interested in applying for a Pre-clinical Veterinary Job Shadow at WMVS must be enrolled in an AVMA accredited veterinary school. Interested students are required to submit a completed application a minimum of 60 days before anticipated date of Shadow Experience.
If you’re interested in applying to our High School Job Shadow Program please:
Clinical Veterinary Externship
Overview
West Michigan Veterinary Service is a busy nine doctor mixed animal practice divided into three sections: Small animal, Food Animal, and Equine. We are conveniently located 20 minutes from the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan and 20 minutes from the rapidly growing downtown Grand Rapids. We offer a two to four week externship opportunity to veterinary students in their first through fourth year at a nationally accredited veterinary school as well as shadow opportunities to students 16 years of age and older.
Our goal is to aid in the education of eager veterinary students as well as shadow students while maintaining a high level of patient care and client communication. An extern (veterinary student) would be expected to work 30-50 hours per week alongside the doctors in either the small animal, food animal, or equine division during normal business hours. Specific goals would be discussed and completed by the end of the program, with the intent to cater to the specific goals and interests of each student.
We require each extern student to carry AVMA PLIT insurance (free to AVMA student members) before handling any animals.
Estimated Externship Workload: Externs are actively involved in both ambulatory and hospital cases. Externs are expected to arrive at the start of the day (varies by species) and are expected to work along the assigned veterinarian for the entire day.
Goals of Externship: Our objective is to provide veterinary students with the opportunity to gain experience in a general private practice setting. Our program is designed to be hands on and focused on practical skills and knowledge that will be useful in the veterinary field. Externs work closely with our veterinarians during the course of their visit and will be expected to complete a series of tasks during their stay (varies by species).
Insurance: We require each extern student to carry AVMA PLIT insurance (free to AVMA student members) before handling any animals. We to not provide any health insurance of workers compensation for externs
Fees/Costs/Stipends: We do not charge visiting students for participation in our externship program nor do we provide any compensation / payment to externs.
Housing: Externs are responsible for their own housing arrangements.
Students are accountable for:
○ Confidentiality
○ Professional appearance and demeanor
○ Come prepared with appropriate attire /equipment
○ Actively participate and demonstrate interest. Be helpful and eager
○ Prepare to discuss cases, ask appropriate questions
Application Process
Students interested in applying for a Pre-clinical Veterinary Job Shadow at WMVS must be enrolled in an AVMA accredited veterinary school. Interested students are required to submit a completed application a minimum of 60 days before anticipated date of Shadow Experience.
If you’re interested in applying to our High School Job Shadow Program please: