Veterinarian

Duties and Responsibilities:

Veterinarians administer vaccines, do health check-ups, clean teeth, fix broken bones, treat skin infections and perform surgeries. Another aspect of a veterinarian's career may involve inspecting the living spaces of animals on farms or ranches to ensure that they are free from possible sources of infection. Some veterinarians specialize in a particular disease or condition and may be consulted only in special cases, veterinarians have to give lethal injections to animals when they become old or terminally ill Vets, who own their own businesses may have to perform administrative duties, supervise veterinary techs and manage other staff members. Veterinarians should be comfortable with animals and people and be willing to undergo many years of schooling before entering this profession.

Salary:

$86,640

Education:

Veterinarians are required to complete a four-year Doctor of Medicine (DMV) program, in addition to undergraduate school. These professionals are also required to obtain licensure to practice in the profession and students who wish to enter into a veterinary program typically obtain bachelor's degrees in science-related areas, like zoology, molecular biology, chemistry, animal science and biochemistry.

Demands:

Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Veterinarians will continue to be needed to diagnose and treat animals but veterinary medicine has advanced considerably. Veterinarians are able to offer more services today that are comparable to healthcare for humans, including more complicated procedures like cancer treatments and kidney transplants and there also will be employment growth in areas such as food and animal safety, where organizations work to prevent foodborne contaminants and diseases in animals; public health, where organizations work to protect the health of an entire population; and disease control. Veterinarians will continue to be needed to inspect the food supply and to ensure animal and human health.