Representatives of a variety of veterinary practices and companies staffed booths that filled the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall during the Hire a Boilermaker Career Fair Friday, September 21.
The week of the Purdue Veterinary Conference was full of events. This year, a new event that coincided with the conference made students and employers very happy: the PVM Hire a Boilermaker Career Fair. Coordinated by the PVM Office of Student Services, the career fair was held Friday, September 21. Booths filled the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall, as a total of 31 veterinary enterprises, including private practices and companies participated.
Third-year veterinary student Kristi Crow, who is president of the Purdue Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA Purdue), was very excited about the opportunities the career fair offered. She said the event proved beneficial to all PVM students, as there were opportunities for internships, externships, and jobs. Kristi also felt that, aside from helping students with their job searches, the career fair provided “… a great chance for students to get practice talking to others in the industry.”
The popularity of the career fair was evident by the number of PVM students who enjoyed talking with prospective employers and mingling with each other.
The employers in attendance were equally excited about the event. Representatives of Indy Vet said they were impressed by the large turnout of both DVM and Veterinary Nursing students. They mentioned how they used fliers in previous years and preferred this face-to-face opportunity much more, noting, “There’s nothing like person-to-person interaction.” Family Pet Health Center also hosted a booth at the career fair and was surprised by the large turnout at the event, with a representative explaining, “This is so much busier than I ever expected it to be.” Employers also mentioned the professionalism of the students, noting that each student was dressed well and had a resume on-hand.
Employers and students thoroughly enjoyed the event especially because of the opportunity for face-to-face interaction. “I’m really proud of our students,” said Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for student affairs. “The turnout was excellent, and it was great to see so many of our students take advantage of this chance to meet personally with veterinary professionals representing a variety of employment opportunities. I also deeply appreciate all of the employers who hosted booths and gave our students a wonderful snapshot of the exciting profession they are preparing to enter.”
The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA), SAVMA Purdue, and the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) partnered with PVM to host the Hire a Boilermaker Career Fair. Many participants also mentioned that they are excited about the potential, after this year’s success, for the career fair to become an annual event.