CVS introduces new large animal Graduate Programme Careers Day
- Improvements also made to companion animal careers events further to attendee research -
CVS is introducing a new large animal careers day for its equine and farm graduates, in addition to improving the current careers days it holds for its companion animal graduates.
This autumn, a new combined careers event will be run for its equine ambulatory, internship and farm graduates. The day will include a variety of presentations on different career pathways and will be open to all new graduates in the second year of the programme at CVS.
CVS has also conducted research with its companion animal graduates to identify what they are most interested in, to improve the content of its small animal events. Though pre-event research identified second year graduates wanted to find out about specialisation, certificates, residencies and internships, post event research on the same cohort concluded they valued finding out about the range of opportunities and general practitioner progression within CVS more.
All forthcoming CVS Graduate Programme Careers Days will now include short trailer style sessions on; career progression as a general practice vet; coaching, leadership and the benefits of working within CVS; information on Electives, which form part of CVS’ second year graduate programme; pathology work; and with information on progressing to certificates, internships and residencies. There will also be a Panel discussion where graduates can pose any question on career options and pathways to all speakers, including vets from across the CVS group.
To bolster each programme, a self-leadership workshop will also be held, along with an evening dinner where graduates will have the opportunity to network and celebrate their achievements.
Furthermore, the companion animal events will have talks on CVS’ Australia secondment and from Worldwide Veterinary Services, regarding overseas volunteering opportunities. Whilst the large animal events will incorporate half a day of clinical CPD.
Sarah Rutherford, Head of Clinical Education at CVS, said:
“We have conducted research with graduates to understand what new vets really appreciate as they plan their careers.
“Our organisers found a disconnect between what graduates believed they were interested in pursuing before they attended a careers day and what they said afterwards.
“As a result, our Graduate Programme Careers Days have been redesigned with an increased variety of topics - including general practice, travel and neuter clinics, and our pathologist service - as well as more opportunities to ask questions to a CVS vet panel or individually.
“We really hope that our graduates benefit from their improved content.”
CVS careers days have been moved to earlier in each graduate programme to enable it to be more influential for their career. The CVS large animal Graduate Programme Careers Day will be held on 6th November in Heathrow, whilst the companion animal events will be held on 7th November in Heathrow and 16th January in Manchester.
CVS’ New Graduate Programme was the first in the UK, with a two-year structured clinical training programme supporting transition into general practice in small animal, equine and farm disciplines. The group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine and laboratories, with over 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK and Australia. In the last five years the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals. For further information on CVS visit www.cvsukltd.co.uk .