Exploration should include examining personal traits, interests, and goals for an animal-related career. Exploration should also include

• identifying career opportunities across clinical, research, animal welfare, laboratory animal science, and companion‑animal services
• identifying working conditions
• describing training requirements and credentialing expectations
• listing the pros and cons of each opportunity
• developing a career plan that includes the preparation necessary for the career goal, such as coursework, certifications, and relevant hands‑on experiences.

Process/Skill Questions:

• How do educational requirements and duties differ among various careers within the veterinary medical field?
• What veterinary-related careers are available outside of veterinary medicine (e.g., biomedical research, OneHealth)?
• What resources are available to research information about careers in animal care?
• Why is it important to explore career opportunities before making educational decisions?