There are many ways we can get new veterinary opportunities using social media since the world is more digital than ever. I have seen how important it is to connect with people in the same field and look for new opportunities. For the past two years, I have gotten travel grants, externships, and writing opportunities through Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedln. Today, I want to give you some advice on how to get the most of every online connection or interaction.
My first piece of advice is to follow social media accounts related to your field of interest and make sure you connect with them by commenting and asking questions through private messages or email. There are always veterinary hospitals, pet companies, or online mentorship looking for veterinary student ambassadors to be part of their team. Veterinary Emergency Group, Hills, Veterinary Mentor Solutions (VMS) are good examples, to name a few. These are great opportunities to build relationships and get job opportunities in the future.
My second piece of advice is to work on your LinkedIn profile, which is another great professional and social media platform. Try to keep your profile updated with your past jobs, current achievements, etc. Through this platform, you can connect directly with those organizations or vet clinics where you would like to do an externship or work for in the future.
My third piece of advice is to attend those online conferences that are free for vet students due to COVID-19. Take advantage of this fantastic accessibility to learn from home and always write down the speakers’ contact information. If there is a topic or something that interests you, get in contact with them by email or social media. You never know what or who can open opportunities for you!
