Veterinary Student Externships and Mentorship Programs
Hey There, Future Veterinarian!
You’ve made a great choice in your field of study and future career, and we can’t wait to meet you and support you in your veterinary journey. We know you’re exploring opportunities, and we want to help. At VetEvolve, we’re People-First — that means we are committed to your growth and, above all, your happiness. We truly believe a happy veterinary career starts with the right support. As part of our community, you’ll get just that. Learn more below!
Ready to talk to someone now?
Let’s Start with Where You Are Right Now
Learning directly from experienced professionals — outside of the classroom — is key to success. While there are many industry opportunities available to grow your knowledge, only VetEvolve tailors the experience to your personal interests and career goals — all so you enjoy a more enriching experience and a happier veterinary career.
Start an Externship at a Practice
- Gain valuable on-site experience in any practice areas that interest you.
- Explore general practice, emergency medicine, exotics, eastern medicine, surgery, dental, and more.
- Work in one of our Mid-Atlantic practice locations.
- Opportunities are available for and tailored to all class years.
- You’ll get a dedicated mentor to advise you and support your learning experience.
- Personal support throughout your externship experience via our Student Programs Partner.
Why Learn with VetEvolve?
- Our Student Programs Partner will connect you with opportunities from across multiple VetEvolve practices and find the right fit for your career goals.
- Work alongside veterinarians and support staff who love their jobs — they lead the industry with DVM retention rates of over 90% .
- Externships are customized based on your specific career and learning goals. Get more hands on experience while also completing your checklist.
- Use your externship to interview us and gain insights to accelerate your career.
- We provide a stipend to offset housing and travel costs for select positions.
Congratulations on your graduation! Explore open positions available here at VetEvolve and apply now! As a recent graduate and new team member with us, we’re committed to helping you start your new career path on the right track. We achieve that through our graduate mentorship program, where you’ll receive consistent guidance and support from the entire veterinary staff across our entire community.
What We Provide from the Start
- Mentorship from professionals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience.
- A mentorship plan and assigned mentor that is fully customized to your personal work pace, feedback style, and more.
- An initial shadowing period followed by elongated appointments and “catch up” blocks.
- Three company-wide, in-person wet lab events led by an experienced mentor within your first 12 months.
- Trip to a different VE practice within your first 12 months that’s focused on your area of interest.
- A remote mentor in addition to your on-site lead mentor veterinarian.
How We Make Mentorship a Success
- Support from every location in our community of nearly 40 hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern U.S.
- Connect with seasoned veterinarians within our practices for network wide support.
- Gradual introduction to surgery and dentistry that’s veterinarian-led.
- Additional training based on your specific interests, such as ultrasound, orthopedics, etc.
- Resources to help you learn and stay balanced, including MentorVet, Plumbs Pro, and Vet Specialists on Demand.
- Mental health resources via Aetna, AbleTo, and Not One More Vet.
Hear Stories of Happiness
How We Build a Happy, Healthy Community
As a People-First organization, when we say we’re committed to your happiness and well-being, we mean it. From working through school to the day you retire, our sole focus is making your career deeply rewarding, meaningful, and impactful — for you, your family, the patients and clients you serve, and those around you. Here are a few ways we all work together to fulfill that promise.
Before Day One
As a student or recent graduate, your growth is our focus — before you even start working for us. Whether you’re still going through school or recently graduated, we’re here to make your journey meaningful and successful.
Endless Opportunities
There’s virtually no limit on what you can do in our veterinary student externships and mentorship programs. If you have multiple interests, we’ll connect you with people and practices to help you build experience in them.
Learn Across Hospitals
Want experience in urgent care but also have an interest in exotics? We’ll set up an externship or mentorship plan that helps you build your knowledge in both — and anything else that drives you. If you want to do it, we’ll make it happen.
Your Health Matters
Being a veterinarian isn’t always easy. If you need a respite, someone to talk to, or want to explore other opportunities within veterinary medicine, we’re just a call away.
Networking Opportunities
Grow your knowledge and industry connections with ongoing wet labs as well as webinars around a variety of topics ranging from practicing medicine to taking care of your health.
Seasonal Support Roles
Don’t have time for a full externship? No problem. We always have seasonal support staff opportunities so you can learn and grow professionally while you focus on your studies.
Meet the VetEvolve Student Programs Team
Ashley Anderson, LVT
Student Programs Partner
Ashley is our Student Programs Partner and is responsible for connecting enthusiastic veterinary students with externships, shadowing opportunities, and other valuable learning experiences as well as full-time positions in our community.
Vicki Fong
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Vicki is our Talent Acquisition Specialist. She oversees mentorship programs as well as opportunities for new graduates. She also collaborates with our local practice leaders and central support team to facilitate veterinary hires who are strong fits for each unique hospital.
Experience a Culture You Can Feel
At VetEvolve, our values drive all that we do, how we treat our customers, and how we work together. Here’s what we believe in:
- Every day, we live out our core values of Serve, Evolve, and Trust
- We always put our People First — your happiness is our priority
- We focus on ensuring clients and patients receive best-in-class care
- We empower our team to learn, grow, and build lasting careers
- Highly trained, dependable support teams to assist with patient needs and client questions
- We believe in rewarding our team members’ dedication and hard work
- We regularly give back to and participate in our respective communities
Other On-Campus Opportunities
We’re always active with veterinary students on campus and empower students to — here are other ways you can get involved outside of veterinary externships and mentorship programs.
Campus Ambassadors
Help others experience the happiest career of their lives! We have paid programs for students to help spread the word at their universities.
Job Fairs
Job fairs are a great opportunity to meet with our recruiting team. Check out our Upcoming Events to learn where we’ll be next.
On-Campus Events
From educational sessions to relaxed, fun trivia nights, we’re always planning new opportunities to engage students where they are.
What Students are Saying About Their VetEvolve Experiences
"During my externship at Animal Emergency Hospital of Ellicott City, Dr. Frey and I discussed the results of each exam together and she asked me a lot of questions that helped me think critically, which I loved. I was able to practice my exam skills on exotics a lot. I didn’t have much experience at all with exotics but I feel so comfortable now. Dr. Frey was a great teacher!"
“The externship I did at Dublin Animal Hospital allowed for me to experience the realistic workflow, clinic culture and day-to-day operations of the practice, things that are vital in choosing where to work as a new graduate. Externships are an indispensable experience for veterinary students and allow for valuable “real life” learning beyond textbooks and anatomy lab.
“My time at Dublin Animal Hospital so far this summer has been extremely beneficial to my development as a budding veterinarian. Everyone there has been welcoming from day one, and the atmosphere is conducive to great animal healthcare. The doctors treat me as a future colleague instead of someone just interested in veterinary medicine. They have given me opportunities to review casework, tested my knowledge in the many facets of treatment and preventative care, and allowed me to shadow in real-life appointments.”
“My externship at Nonantum Veterinary Hospital has been an invaluable experience. I have gained hands-on experience with the guidance of practicing veterinarians. This externship has allowed me to see the day-to-day operations of a veterinary hospital. The experience gained will be greatly beneficial in my future career as a veterinarian.”
“Completing externships with VetEvolve made me confident in choosing to work for them. They were welcoming, helped me schedule externships within their network, and even continued personal check-in’s throughout my fourth year. While working in different clinics, I was able to observe the support VetEvolve provides to every member of their team. As a new graduate, I know I will have a network of people behind me as I navigate my first couple years out of school.”
“My experience with VetEvolve was great. From the beginning, I was treated like an integral part of the team. All the staff were welcoming, supportive, & patient with me as I was practicing my skills & learning new ones. I would recommend an externship with VetEvolve to any veterinary student seeking an engaging & positive veterinary experience.”
How Can We Make Your Career a Success?
Your journey is just beginning. Let’s make it the best experience of your life. Get in touch with the VetEvolve team today.