Thread by @MonsieurAlimi

1. New Thread Alert: Career Insights for Young Veterinarians. In celebration of the #WorldVeterinaryDay2020,I am sharing a thread on how young Vets can intentionally build a rewarding professional career in animal and public health #WVD2020 @NigerianVets @Bayer4Animals @dvm360

2. In this thread,I will be discussing why young vets need to first achieve CLARITY by doing a personal SWOT analysis,and why they need a Professional Development Plan focusing on long term incremental progress.#WVD2020 @NigerianVets @Zoetis @FAOAnimalHealth @OIEAnimalHealth

3.I will also touch on how young vets can find,prepare and position themselves for life-changing career opportunities by keeping abreast of the info landscape,relationship building,thought leadership,platform building,and taking ownership of animal & public health issues.#WVD2020

4. In my nine years since graduation from Vet School in Nigeria,one thing I have found is that even though numerous opportunities exist for vets in today's world,many young vets are yet disillusioned about how to build a fulfilling & profitable career #WVD2020 @MatthewStoneOIE

5. The truth is: it doesn't matter whether you work in Govt,private practice,in livestock sector,public health,academia,international organisations or industry,the principles of career building apply irrespective #WVD2020 @NigerianVets

6.As with every human endeavour,building your veterinary career begins with you.It begins with who you are,what are your goals and aspirations and where do you see yourself five,ten and twenty years from now. #WVD2020 @EmmaDavisVet

7.Making a choice of which direction to go should therefore not be a decision that you'll take lightly or leave to chance.You've to undertake a thorough process of self-reflection to find out what you really want. #WVD2020 @NigerianVets

8.In deciding which area of vet medicine you wish to pursue,I recommend that you do a personal SWOT Analysis to document your #Strengths,#Weaknesses,#Opportunities and #Threats. #WVD2020

9.A #SWOT analysis is not just a business tool.It is also a useful tool for career building.At the minimum,it gives you an indication of your strong points and weak areas and can guide you to making better decisions in terms of your career.
#WVD2020

10.Documenting your Strengths can point you to fields within the larger vet profession that you can pursue competently and that come naturally to you without much struggling.#WVD2020 @NigerianVets @_mamalolo @drsenos

11.For instance if you are a born marketer and a people person,perhaps a job in industry may be your best bet.In the same vein,if you enjoy travelling and working Internationally,perhaps an #FAO job may be for you.#WVD2020

12.It may also be that you are a very analytical person who loves to solve problems through research,then you may be better off pursueing academia or a R&D career in animal health Pharma.#WVD2020

13.Or probably, you have gifted hands which may lead you to choose to become a Small animal surgeon.Whatever be the case,your strengths are always a pointer for you if you pay close attention. #WVD2020

14.Your Weaknesses on the other hand, are your minor limitations which may hinder you from pursuing certain milestones in life. #WVD2020

15.But make no mistake, because something is a weakness does not mean you can not improve at it if you are determined and passionate.Many people who are great veterinary surgeons today started out as timid hands.#WVD2020

16.That said,It is common sense to play to your Strengths because leaning towards your weak sides will likely make you more vulnerable and open to failure.Always put your best foot forward! #WVD2020

17.Still on #SWOT Analysis. #Opportunities.It may be that your father is also a vet and you are already next in line to inherit a practice.In your case,it then means that availability of a ready made practice premises is one of your opportunities. #WVD2020

18.Opportunity can mean different things to different people. If you have specific skills,experiences,certifications or even connections. These can be considered as your opportunities.#WVD2020 @AmbuvetsK

19. For instance, someone that finished with the best graduating grade in his or her class may be considered for an automatic lecturing job in his/her school.This opportunity will only seldomly be available to "Let my People go" candidates!#WVD2020

20. The same way some veterinary graduates may be opportune to travel abroad for their postgard studies in reputable Unis abroad.This is also an example of an opportunity that can stand one out when considering some jobs and careers.

21.Whatever be your exact scenario,it is a given that there are a number of opportunities that are available to you,and sometimes these opportunities may not be open to all.Never underrate yourself.Shine your eyes and see clearly #WVD2020

22.Some opportunities on the other hand are available to everybody. Google is one such leveller. We all have access to the global information landscape of the 21st century through Google and other search engines.What are you doing with this opportunity #WVD2020

23. I always tell my friends,students and mentees.Make Google your friend.Never take the opportunity that access to info gives you for granted. Maximise the opportunity to improve yourself,your skills and better position yourself #WVD2020

24. Finally #Threats are those obstacles standing in the way of your fulfilling Veterinary career. Many vets I know want to pursue further studies on scholarship but are worried about their vet school Grades. In this case,the CGPA is a threat #WVD2020

25. After putting together your #SWOT Analysis. The next thing is to write your Professional Development Plan (PDP) which is a personal strategy document listing out your career goals and how you plan to achieve them #WVD2020

26. Remember.Nothing happens by accident anymore.If you want to achieve something you have to be intentional about it. The first step to achievement is writing your goals down #WVD2020

27. Just like a Personal SWOT Analysis, A Professional Development Plan will help you become clear about the steps you need to take to move to the next level of your career #WVD2020

28. It could be that you want to pursue a career in small animal clinical practice and you currently have little or no experience.An internship in a reputable private or public veterinary hospital maybe something worth considering #WVD2020

29.Or perhaps you're interestd in working in the academia or research.Of course,you may be better off exploring further study opportunities with funding.All these are possibilities that you can explore as a young vet,but it begins with you,outlining your goals and plans #WVD2020

30. However, a Professional Develooment Plan is nothing but a plan.If you refuse to take action,you will unfortunately remain where you are.After outlining your goals and plans,then comes the main challenge: EXECUTION. #WVD2020

31. Make no mistake about it,there has never been a time in the history of our world where there were as much opportunities for dreams to come true.And irrespective of what Covid-19 throws at our world,the human race will rise above it #WVD2020

32.In a post-Covid world,there'd be many opportunities for vets to use their skills to solve key global challenges such as animal &human health issues,food security & enviro. health.As a young vet,you owe it to yourself to prepare yourself #WVD2020

33.At times like this,it is common to see people prioritize online courses,seminars,webinars.The emphasis is understandably on maximizing the lockdown.But one thing that is not often emphasized is the opportunity to use this time to build relationships #WVD2020

34.Your Prof. Dev. Plan should include a Networking/Relationship building component.Reach out to get to know new colleagues from across the profession,and beyond.Network with vets from other climes,but never neglect the people already within your current circle. #WVD2020

35. Your Classmates in Veterinary school are a goldmine. Never forget to keep in touch! #WVD2020