Veterinary technology positions may be the closest things to a recession-proof career in the current economic climate with all the data recently coming from the veterinary industry. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the veterinary technology profession is projected to increase 36% by 2018. The American Veterinary Medical Association Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (AVMA – CVTEA) currently has 170 accredited veterinary technology programs that they oversee. There are 6 more new programs that AVMA – CVTEA is reviewing in 2010. Twenty-one new programs are already on the schedule for review in 2011. These programs produced approximately 4,302 graduates of associate degree programs and 279 graduates of bachelors degree programs in 2008/2009 school year. However, there is still said to be a technician shortage.
Veterinary technician careers have expanded into many areas. The government, private veterinary sector and various other industries have started to realize the huge knowledge base and skill set technicians have. Veterinary technicians are hired in research, USDA/government, public health, animal control, zoos, wildlife centers, shelter/humane societies, meat packing plants, 4-H/FFA/Agricultural, herd health and production, artificial insemination labs and facilities, rehabilitation (human and animal), human/animal bond therapy, animal behavior, nutrition positions and the list goes on and on.
The question of whether or not veterinary technology positions are recession proof for your career goals can depend greatly on many things. There is a need for credentialed veterinary technicians in many areas of the profession as mentioned previously. Yes, the most obvious vet tech needs are in the food animal industry and in certain geographic areas, but there is still much opportunity in general practice as well. Just check out Banfield’s career page for evidence! This is great news for those individuals who have their hearts in their work and love the profession and what they do.
Credentialed vet techs can add enormous value to the practices they work for. By completing an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program and passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam, credentialed vet techs prove that they have the ability to perform lab work, assist in surgery, educate and relate to clients, take radiographs, do dental work and more! This gives veterinarians and hospital managers an advantage in hiring credentialed vet techs, since they have an almost guaranteed knowledge base and skill set. Having this education can also give clients a sense of security knowing that their Pets are being taken care of by someone who has been formally educated in caring for Pets.
Clients have changed throughout the years. They are not just dependent on animals as a means for making a living, etc. Animals are a part of our families. Although some of the greatest need for credentialed vet techs is in large-animal practice, the growing popularity of Pets ensures that credentialed vet techs can find a career in small-animal practice. We depend on Pets to be there for us when we get home, when we are afraid, when we are alone. Some of us depend on them for us to succeed in this world as being our eyes, our ears, our guardian angels. Others depend on them as their partners at work (police dogs, search and rescue dogs, research animals, etc). They are always there for us when we need them and because of these reasons and many more, we want to do everything we can do to make them happy, keep them safe and healthy, and be able to go that extra mile in times when they are sick, getting older or in times of need (broken bones, etc). These things do not go away with the recession and neither does the compassion and love we have for our animals and Pets.
The veterinary technician career recession proof? I say yes it is about as close as you can get!
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