The answer is lots. You can, obviously, work as a vet. The true value, however, of a veterinary education is so much more broad-based than this and the fact remains that veterinary degree courses offer one of the most complete, well rounded, multi-disciplined scientific training programmes on offer. Not only are you taught anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and all of the other ‘ologies’, but you also develop a range of transferrable soft skills, from leadership and project management to conflict resolution and effective communication skills. The transformation that is seen in vet students from when they start university to graduation is staggering, with the vet training system taking in raw talent and drive and turning out well rounded, competent and effective professionals at the end of it.

It is a direct result of this multi-skill training that vet graduates find it relatively straightforward to change from a vet career into other areas, something that many do at some point during their lives for many reasons. I personally know of fellow vet school graduates who decided towards the end of their degrees that they no longer wished to go into clinical veterinary practice, and chose to pursue other career choices. Not one of them found having a vet school training to be an obstacle and all opted to complete their degrees, safe in the knowledge that the vet degree is a widely respected and recognised qualification. Now, you’re obviously dead-set on being a practicing vet so we’ll limit talk of not doing just that, but it is important to realise the broad appeal of the vet degree and take pride and comfort from it.

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