The Office of Professional Success 

Our students have unique opportunities throughout their veterinary medicine education that prepare them to be leaders in the field of veterinary medicine and assets to your practice and business.

• Robust pre-clinical curriculum including six semesters of professional development 
• Access to a state-of-the-art Veterinary Clinical and Professional Skills Center which provides a realistic training environment for practicing simulated skills in surgery, dentistry, bandaging and ultrasound 
• Students perform up to 20 spay and neuter surgeries in their clinical year 
• Three years of hands-on, practical application of professional skills including contract negotiation and progressively difficult client communication role-playing scenarios 
• Clerkship program that provides practical experience for a well-rounded clinical year

Post a job on our career site

Visit https://osuvetjobs.org/employers to create an account and post jobs for Ohio State students and alumni. For further assistance, please use this how-to guide: go.osu.edu/howtopost

Start making connections early

• In the current market, we recommend building relationships with students earlier than their fourth year.
• Participate in career events like our Fall Externship Expo or Homecoming Student-Alumni Networking Luncheon
• Register your practice as an off-site elective/externship location:  go.osu.edu/offsiteelectives
• Serve as a contract negotiation coach for current third-year students
• Collaborate with student organizations for programming and presentations: go.osu.edu/findastudentorg

Off-Site Elective Guidelines & Suggestions for Employers

• To start the process of becoming an off-site elective, please fill out the Create Offsite Elective Form
• You will receive a confirmation email once your form has been submitted.
• In the “Description of Elective Experience” we suggest being as detailed as possible so students understand your practice or business, the types of species you treat, and the overall goal of the elective experience. Examples include:
   
  • Our four-doctor mixed animal practice treats patients ranging from cats and dogs to horses and other farm animals. The student will ride along during farm calls, treat patients, and have daily discussions with the veterinarians. We serve a diverse clientele and are located in rural Pennsylvania.
  • Veterinary externs at will spend time on the production facilities learning health management and production practices. They will be involved with fish health exams and treatments on the farm in addition to spending time at the Diagnostic Laboratory participating in fish necropsies as well as performing bacteriology, virology, and molecular biology assays. Externs may also be involved with research projects that could include disease investigation, vaccine development and delivery, nutrition, brood fish selection, and others.
• In the “Student Responsibilities” section, please list what the student will be responsible for and what they will learn at your place of business.  Examples include:
   
  • Student will be responsible for assisting at all farm calls, and taking primary case responsibility when deemed appropriate
  • Student will be responsible for charting medical records and communicating medication needs with clients
  • Students will participate in daily case discussions
  • Students will be allowed to assist in surgeries
  • Students will develop diagnostic plans
  • Student will be expected to perform physical exams
• Off-Site elective locations may offer housing, a living stipend, or a scholarship. As of November 2019, students seeking off-site electives at approved sites that require student to be employed as a condition of their agreement, are able to be hired and paid while receiving academic credit, as an employee if the supervisor is a licensed Veterinarian or approved by the Associate Dean for Professional Programs.  The College of Veterinary Medicine will not participate in the employment agreements, as the agreement is between the student and the employer.  Students are encouraged to seek support from OSU Student Legal Services (student fees applicable) or other legal review before signing any employment contract.   
• After a student has completed a rotation at your place of business, you will need to fill out the electronic evaluation form they provide. Instructions are included on the form.
• If you have further questions regarding the off-site elective process, please email cvmpps@osu.edu or call 614-688-2437