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.
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.