Initial work experiences of veterinarians who graduated from Australian universities in 2005.

The research article explores the first job experiences of veterinarians who graduated from Australian universities in 2005, investigating location, type, job support effects and income. It juxtaposes these data with that of graduates from 1950-2000.

Methods

• The researchers used questionnaires to gather data from veterinarians who had graduated in 2005 from Australian universities.
• The SAS System 8 for Windows was used to analyze the data.

Results

• About one-sixth of the graduates went overseas, while 55% (from Murdoch University) to 85% (from Melbourne University) found their first job in the state where they were trained.
• Compared to previous decades, there was an increase in those who entered small animal practice (48%) and a decrease in mixed practice participants (48%).
• The graduates spent a larger proportion of their time with dogs and cats (79%), and less with horses (9%), cattle (8%), and other production animals (1%).
• Full-time working males had a median income of $43,000, whereas the median for equivalent females was $39,000.
• While most were satisfied with job support, about 20% felt it was inadequate, leading to feelings of being overworked and underpaid.
• Those with inadequate support were found to be more stressed, less likely to enjoy their first year of practice, and less likely to continue in the profession.
• Despite the challenges, the levels of support and stress reported were commensurate with those reported by the 2000 graduates, and better than in the two preceding decades.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that the 2005 graduates were less likely than their predecessors to begin their veterinary careers in mixed practice or working with cattle and horses.
• Most of them felt underpaid but, generally, felt well supported in their first position.