Veterinary & Animal Sciences: Now What?
Veterinary, Vet Tech, and Animal Science...Now What
Quick Facts: Veterinarians
Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- 2024 Median Pay: $125,510 per year/$60.34 per hour
- Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: None
- Number of Jobs, 2020: 88,200
- Job Outlook, 2023-33: 19% (Much faster than average)
- Employment Change, 2023-33: 16,800
Quick Facts: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- 2024 Median Pay: $45,980 per year/$22.11 per hour
- Entry-Level Education: Associate's Degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: None
- Number of Jobs, 2023: 125,700
- Job Outlook, 2023-33: 19% (Much faster than average)
- Employment Change, 2023-33: 24,300
Quick Facts: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- 2024 Median Pay: $37,320 per year/$17.94 per hour
- Entry-Level Education: High School diploma or equivalent
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: None
- Number of Jobs, 2023: 118,200
- Job Outlook, 2023-33: 19% (Much faster than average)
- Employment Change, 2023-33: 22,900
[Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook]
What is Animal Science?
Animal science is the study of animals that live alongside humans. People rely on animals for food, fiber, labor and companionship. Using knowledge from the fields of physiology, biology, nutrition, genetics, husbandry, molecular biology, ethics, animal behavior, public health and communication, animal scientists help us to understand and manage these animals. Animal science is used to maximize the efficiency, output, safety, and sustainability of farming and food production techniques. A degree in animal sciences can prepare you for a wide range of jobs in agriculture and related biomedical fields. Some with an animal science degree plan to continue to veterinary school after graduation.
Selection of Employers for Recent (2024-25) UMass Amherst Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Sciences, and Veterinary Technology Alumni:
- Angell Animal Medical Center
- Biomere
- Callanan Veterinary Group
- Capralogics, Inc.
- Cardinal Reigning Horses
- Charles River Laboratories
- Franklin Park Zoo
- Guardian Veterinary Specialists
- Hillside Small Animal Clinic
- Innovive, LLC
- Joslin Diates Center
- Ludlow Animal Clinic, P.C.
- Lupa Zoo
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Natera
- New Hampshire State Parks
- North Country Veterinary Clinic
- North King Animal Clinic
- Pfizer, Inc.
- Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital
- Sudbury Animal Hospital
- Thrive Pet Healthcare
- Tufts Veterinary School of Medicine
- UMass Chan Medical School
- VCA Veterinary Hospital
- Wilbraham Animal Clinic
Previous Employers of UMass Amherst Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Sciences, and Veterinary Technology Alumni:
- Arlington Animal Clinic
- Best Friends Animal Society
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- BioModels
- Boston Road Animal Clinic
- Broadway Veterinary Care
- DIGS Canine Hotel Spa & Daycare
- East Springfield Veterinary Hospital
- Emerson Hospital
- Ethos Veterinary Health
- Harvard Medical School
- Holyoke Community College
- Lexington Bedford Animal Hospital
- Linwood Veterinary Clinic
- Natick Animal Clinic
- Ocean State Veterinary Specialists
- Pet Hotel Hadley
- Pine Point Animal Clinic
- Red Dog Inn and Resort
- Riverlin Animal Hospital
- Saugus Animal Hospital
- South Coast Dermatology
- Southwick Zoo
- The Hadley Farm
- Forest Park Zoo
- Tufts VETS
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- University of Massachusetts Center for Agriculture
- Valley Veterinary Hospital
- VCA Animal Hospitals
- VET VIP Inc.
- VetCor
Previous Internship Sites as Self-Reported by UMass Amherst Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Sciences, and Veterinary Technology Students (2019 – 2024):
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Borash Veterinary Clinic
- Brookside Animal Hospital
- Cambridge Veterinary Care
- Diggity Dogs Service Dogs
- Franklin Park Zoo
- IALS Animal Models CORE
- MIT Division of Comparative Medicine
- North Attleboro Animal Clinic
- PAWS
- Ridgefield Park Animal Hospital
- Silk Veterinary Clinic
- South River Veterinary
- The Alex Foundation
- The O’Connor Lab
- Turtle Back Zoo
- Wildflower Stables
- Yellowstone Bear World
(More information on students’ past internships can be found here)
What Can I Do With A Bachelor’s Degree In Animal Science?
Animal Health Product Sales
Feed Sales/Management
Livestock Equipment Sales/Mgt
Livestock Procurement
Field Representative
Consultant
A.I. Breeding Technician
Livestock Feedlot Operator
Research and Lab Technician
Public Relations Specialist
Market Forecaster
Livestock Marketing Specialist
Sales
Technical Representative
Teacher
Housing & Environmental Quality Specialist
Livestock Insurance
Representative
Animal Scientist
Researcher
Food/Meat Product Development
Quality Assurance
Food Service Management
Farm Management
Dairy Equipment Specialist
Market Reporter
Meat Grade
Financial Analyst
Financial Representative
Extension Specialist
Who Could I Work For?
- Animal breeders
- Animal shelters
- Biotech companies
- Dairy industry
- Universities and schools
- Equine industry
- Feed manufacturers
- Historic farms
- Veterinary hospitals
- Human societies
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Research foundations
- Wildlife rehabilitation groups
- Zoos
- Federal government agencies, such as:
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Interior
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Environmental Protection Agency
- State government agencies, such as:
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Environmental Protection
Farm Organizations
Beef cattle production
-Stocker or grower programs
-Feedlot
- Milk production
-Swine
-Farrowing operations
-Grower/finisher operations
-Farrow to finish
-Sheep
Feed/slaughter inspection
-Private consulting
Wheat pasture growing/finishing programs
-Poultry
-Broiler production
-Egg production
-Horses
-Mare breeding farm
-Training facility
Livestock feed
-Production, sales, and distribution
Technology Development and Application (Biotechnology)
-Laboratory technical support
-Animal caretakers
-Research scientists
-Genetics and animal breeding
-Population genetics
-Molecular genetics
-Genetic engineering
-Reproductive management
-Endocrinology
-Cloning
-Embryo technology
-Nutrition
-Feeding programs
-Nutrition/reproduction interactions
-Nutrition/health/immunity interactions
Food Science
-Product development
-Food processing
-Fermentation
-Grain companies
Veterinary Medicine
-Practice
-Research
-Product development
-Teaching
-Inspection
Meat or dairy foods
-Production
-Product development
-Quality control
-Distribution and marketing
Where Else Might I Do an Internship in Animal Science?
UMass Amherst Animal Science Majors Have Done Internships at the Following Sites:
Agri-Mark
Amherst (Town of)
Andover Animal Hospital
Associates of Cape Cod
Banfield Pet Hospital
Biogen Idec Inc
Blue Star Equiculture
CampusLIVE, Inc.
CBSET INC.
Como Park Zoo/Conservatory
Dakin Pioneer Valley
Days End Farm Horse Rescue
Diggity Service Dogs
Drumlin Farm & Sanctuary
Humane Society
Jon Turati Farrier Service
Lincoln Park Zoo
Mass Audubon
Medicine Mammals
Medicine
MSPCA
New England Aquarium
New England Wildlife Center
Novartis
Riverbend Animal Hospital
Rozalia Project
Sova Animal Hospital
Stewart Equine Clinic
Tufts Veterinary School
UMass Mullins Center
Vet’s First Choice
Walt Disney World
Westford Emergency Animal Hospital
Westside Animal Clinic
Windham Animal Hospital
Wildlife Center Silicon Valley
Wyeth Biotech
Career Planning Resources & Websites
UMass Amherst CNS Career Center
UMass Handshake Database of Internships & Jobs
UMass Career and Education Planning
What Can I Do With This Major?
UMass VASCI Opportunities Page
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Farming/ Agriculture Occupations
O-Net: Vet Technologists and Technicians
Massachusetts Career Information System
(Click Mass Resident to login with “Amherst/01003” Then click “Occupations” or “Assessments”)
Net Vet: Veterinary Career Resources
Student Resources in Animal Science
Animal Science Internships
American Veterinary Medical Association
Finding Independent Research on Campus
Agriculture/Animal Science
Agricultural Industry Jobs
Continental Search Outplacement Inc.
Animal Care, Aquariums & Zoos
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Government Agencies
USA Jobs (All Government Jobs)
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Natural Resources & Conservation
Pharmaceutical Companies/Biotech
Veterinary Medicine
General Search Engines
Federation of Animal Sciences Societies
Professional Organizations (* = of particular note)
Many professional organizations’ websites have career information on them. You can often use them to search for networking events, meet a mentor in your field of study, find current research, search for internships or jobs, and gain insight into what direction you may wish to pursue within the field.
* American Animal Hospital Association
* American Association for Laboratory Animal Science
American Association of Zoo Keepers
American Dairy Science Association
American Meat Science Association
American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
* American Society of Animal Science
* American Veterinary Medical Association
* Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
* Federation of Animal Science Societies
International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
National Agri-Marketing Association
National Animal Control Association
National Association of Agricultural Educators
* National Institute of Food and Agriculture
What Does a Veterinarian Do?
Thinking about going onto vet school and curious about the profession?
Veterinarians typically do the following:
- Examine animals to diagnose their health problems
- Treat and dress wounds
- Perform surgery on animals
- Test for and vaccinate against diseases
- Operate medical equipment such as x-ray machines
- Advise animal owners about general care, medical conditions, and treatments
- Prescribe medication
- Euthanize animals
Veterinarians in private clinical practices treat the injuries and illnesses of pets and farm animals with a variety of medical equipment, including surgical tools and x-ray machines. They provide treatment for animals that is similar to what a doctor would do to treat humans.
The following are common types of veterinarians:
Companion animal veterinarians treat pets and generally work in private clinics. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 77 percent of veterinarians who work in private clinical practice treat pets. They most often care for cats and dogs, but also treat other pets, such as birds, ferrets, and rabbits. These veterinarians diagnose animal health problems, consult with owners of animals, and carry out medical procedures, such as vaccinations and setting fractures.
Equine veterinarians work with horses. About 6 percent of private practice veterinarians treat horses.
Food animal veterinarians work with farm animals such as pigs, cattle, and sheep. About 8 percent of private practice veterinarians treat food animals. They spend much of their time at farms and ranches treating illnesses and injuries and testing for and vaccinating against disease. They also may advise owners or managers about feeding, housing, and general health practices.
Food safety and inspection veterinarians inspect livestock and animal products and enforce government food safety regulations. They may inspect livestock, checking the animals for E. coli and other transmittable diseases. They check for food purity and sanitation by inspecting food products, animals and carcasses, and slaughtering and processing plants. Others may work along the country’s borders in food safety and security, ensuring abundant and safe food supplies.
Research veterinarians work in laboratories, conducting clinical research on human and animal health problems. These veterinarians may perform tests on animals to identify the effects of drug therapies, or they may test new surgical techniques. They may also research how to prevent, control, or eliminate food- and animal-borne illnesses and diseases.
Important Transferable Qualities to Include on Your Resume for ANY Animal Sciences Job
- Compassion. Veterinarians must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners. They must treat animals with kindness and must be sensitive when dealing with the owners of sick pets.
- Decision-making skills. Veterinarians must decide on the correct method for treating the injuries and illnesses of animals. Deciding between euthanizing and treating a sick animal, for instance, can be very difficult.
- Interpersonal skills. Strong communication skills are essential for veterinarians, who must be able to explain treatment options to animal owners and give instructions to their staff.
- Management skills. Management skills are important for those veterinarians who oversee running private clinics or laboratories. In these settings, they are responsible for providing direction, delegating work, and overseeing daily operations.
- Manual dexterity. Manual dexterity is important for veterinarians because they must control their hand movements and be precise when treating injuries and performing surgery.
- Problem-solving skills. Veterinarians need strong problem-solving skills because they must figure out what is ailing animals. Those who test animals to determine the effects of drug therapies also need excellent diagnostic skills.
What Do Employers Look For? (NACE 2025 Job Outlook for Students)
Top 10 Skills Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume:
Problem Solving, Teamwork, Written Communication, Taking Initiative, Strong Work Ethic, Technical Skills, Verbal Communication, Flexibility/Adaptability, Analytical/Quantitative, Detail-Oriented
Factors Considered by Employers When Screening Candidates:
Academic Major, Has completed an internship in the industry, Industry experience, Has demonstrated proficiency in competencies, Has completed an internship with the organization, Has held a leadership position, Has been involved in leadership/extracurricular activities, Has held part-time jobs in college to finance education, Has done volunteer work