Employer and new graduate satisfaction with new graduate performance in the workplace within the first year following convocation from the Ontario Veterinary College.

This research study evaluated the performance satisfaction of Ontario Veterinary College’s recent graduates in their first year of employment, based on feedback from their employers and self-assessment. The focus was on proficiency in various clinical activities and non-vocational skills, with impressive results reported.

Methods

• The researchers used mailed questionnaires to collect data. This method was applied to both employers of recent graduates and the graduates themselves from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2000 and 2001.
• The survey was conducted 7 to 10 months after the students’ graduation.
• The participants were asked to assess new graduate performance in the workplace across multiple areas.

Assessment Categories

• The questionnaire assessed proficiency at nine species-specific activities in four practice contexts. These specific clinical activities would be related to the treatment and care of different animal species.
• Additionally, the survey assessed proficiency in seven nonspecies-specific clinical activities. These would be general veterinary skills not related to a specific species.
• Also reviewed were fifteen non-vocation-specific attributes, including interpersonal, communication and business skills, and the new graduate’s overall competence in their job.
• For each category, the employer or graduate could rate proficiency or competence as “high”, “some”, or “low” or assess the attribute as “very good,” “good,” or “poor.”

Results

• Ninety percent or more of the employers reported “high” to “some” proficiency in 8 out of 9 activities related to small animal practice, 5 out of 9 in food animal practice, 3 out of 9 in equine practice, and 1 out of 9 in exotic animal practice.
• Ninety percent or more of employers also rated graduate proficiency as “high” to “some” in 5 out of seven nonspecies-specific clinical activities.
• For nonvocation-specific skills, over 90% of employers rated recent graduates as “very good” to “good” in 13 out of 15 criteria.
• The overall competence of the new graduates to perform their hired job was rated as “very good” to “good” by over 90% of the employers.

Conclusion

• This research indicates that new graduates from the Ontario Veterinary College are performing well in their workplaces within their first year, as reported by their employers.
• The results suggest that the graduates are highly proficient in species-specific activities, particularly concerning small and food animals, as well as in general clinical and non-vocational skills.
• The high rating in nonvocation-specific attributes indicates the college’s comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for more than just the clinical aspects of their profession.