Career Fair Connects Veterinary Employers with Purdue Veterinary Medicine Students

Representatives of Labcorp talk with Purdue veterinary student Kyle Barron, of the DVM Class of 2026, at the PVM Career Fair.

A cavernous room filled with representatives of a variety of veterinary companies greeted Purdue DVM  and veterinary nursing students when they arrived at the 2022 Purdue Veterinary Career Fair.  The event was held Friday, November 11 in the Purina Pavilion at Creighton Hall, which is just about a block west of the College of Veterinary Medicine. 

A total of 53 veterinary enterprises were represented at the fair, including small and mixed animal veterinary clinics and a research company. Nearly 165 students turned out to interact with the businesses.  “We were hopeful to provide a meaningful opportunity for students to engage with employers,” said Director of Student Services Jamie Richards. “For those students early in their veterinary education, this was a chance to develop relationships that can lead to summer opportunities and potentially the first step in their careers.”

Richards said the veterinary practices that participated praised the good attendance, which they said was better than what they saw at other career fairs they had attended.  They also noted that the students seemed excited, and they appreciated that they were able to talk to a lot of students, with a good mix of veterinary nursing and DVM students.

The 2022 PVM Career Fair proved to be a great success, attracting nearly 165 students and more than 50 employers.

Richards said students mentioned that they appreciated the more spacious venue, compared to the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall, where the event had been held in past years. “They felt it was not as crowded and they could carry on conversations with employers,” Richards said. Looking ahead, he said they hope to see more large animal practices participate in the future.

Even though the event was moved out of Lynn Hall, Richards said the student participation exceeded expectations, indicating the walk down Harrison Street to the new venue was not a deterrent. “And I think we have opportunities for improvement and growth next year.” Richards also thanked Paige Allen, RVT, assistant director of academic advising and recruitment, and Marisela Mercado Shippam, senior administrative assistant for Student Services, for their creativity, organization, and leadership in setting the event up, and veterinary student Caitlyn Gunther, of the DVM Class of 2025, and her SAVMA Purdue Practice Connect team for serving as hosts and assisting with check-in.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Keeping Your Pets Safe from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

The Purdue Veterinary Hospital has not detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in its practices but is providing important information to help pet and livestock owners stay informed. HPAI affects various species, including birds, cats, dogs, and livestock, and can spread through contact with infected animals or raw food. To reduce risk, avoid feeding raw meat or unpasteurized dairy to pets, limit wildlife exposure, and use protective gear when handling animals. Owners of feline and avian patients will be asked screening questions during appointments.

Purdue Engineering Hosts PVM Canine Educators for ‘Canines, Cookies, and Calm’ During Mental Health Action Week

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s beloved Canine Educators found themselves amidst a throng of engineering students last Friday, March 7, in the Herman & Heddy Kurz Atrum of Armstrong Hall, where they were the center of attention during an event on the final day of Purdue’s Mental Health Action Week (MHAW). Named “Canines, Cookies, and Calm,” the event hosted by the College of Engineering fostered smiles, laughter, and endless thanks from a total of some 300 engineering students.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

March is National Social Work Month! It’s a perfect time to recognize our very own Veterinary Hospital Social Worker, Jennifer Dehn, LSW, MSW.

In Memory – Dr. Raymond Backe (PU DVM ’66)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community mourns the passing of Dr. Ray Backe, an alumnus who was a member of the college’s fourth graduating class – the Class of 1966. Dr. Backe, of Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, formerly of Greendale, Wisconsin, passed away January 19, 2025. He was 84.

Purdue Veterinary Alumni Meet up in Las Vegas at WVC Annual Conference

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine alumni stood out from the large crowds of veterinary professionals attending the Viticus Group 2025 WVC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada as they gathered for the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Reception held in conjunction with the conference. The event Monday evening, March 3, attracted close to 70 alumni who met up at the Rhythm and Rifts lounge located just off the Mandalay Bay casino floor.

Purdue Veterinary Student and Small Animal Surgery Resident Achieve Recognition at Major Specialty Conference

A Purdue second-year veterinary student and a third-year small animal surgery resident helped put the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine in the spotlight at the 52nd Annual Conference of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS) this year.

PVM Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Announces Plans to Retire

An esteemed and dedicated Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member and administrator, Dr. S. Kathleen Salisbury, has announced that she will conclude her Purdue career of more than 40 years when she retires effective June 30, 2025. Her decision was shared with the college’s faculty, staff and students by Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, Wednesday (3/12).