Summer Jobs...

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Bananarama

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Hiya =)
I was just curious if many groom jobs were available over the summer months as a temp type thing. I see a lot over xmas but wondered if it would be similar in summer. I'm a vet student and I was hoping to work as a groom for a few months in my summer holidays to earn some money and to count as part of my placements that I am required to complete.
Also I don't have that much experience. I helped out at my local riding school for four years and have owned my own horses since then. And I have done some horse stuff at uni. But I was never really taught to ride (minus a few lessons last summer) so I don't have the ability to school horses as even if I teach them anything then I wouldn't know how to do it the 'proper' way. Would I be unlikely to get a job with such limited experience?
Thanks xx
 
I think you should be able to find a groom job. Ask around your local area now, and explain that you're a vet student. If you have the basic skills - muck out/skip out, turn out, change rugs, feed, sweep, tack clean etc, your limited experience shouldn't be a problem.
 
Working as a vets receptionist wont look fantastic on any cv - though it may be useful to help you get to know common drugs and their usage and dose rates.
Look for a job in studwork if you seriously want to be an equine vet when you qualify - otherwise just look for a well paying summer job that will help with your fees.
I did mostly studwork through vet college and then worked in racing after qualifying while i looked for a vet job. The type of horses i worked with made the most difference to potential employers - an equine vet must be able to handle all sorts, including youngstock and fit competition horses/racehorses.

Having continuous employment throughout college on your cv looks good anyway - not necessarily agricultural/veterinary based.
 
glenruby said:
Working as a vets receptionist wont look fantastic on any cv - though it may be useful to help you get to know common drugs and their usage and dose rates..

Having continuous employment throughout college on your cv looks good anyway - not necessarily agricultural/veterinary based.
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But it would show that you are willing to learn how the practice is run, the business side of things, and how to deal with people - just as important as the actual vet based work :)
 
Yeah, but believe me - it wont help you get a job. 2 of my classmates worked as vet receptionists for summers/weekends. Both were among the last to get jobs (or indeed be offered anything however unsuitable). A smart, logical person can pick all that and more up while seeing practice. If you arent that sort of person then they wont want to employ you as a vet - regardless of how good a receptionist you are!
Also, receptionists may organise the day to day calls a vet does but dont run a practice - or in most cases dont even do the drug ordering/negotiating. Much more important to make sure you get to go around with the boss/managing partner of a practice to see how its run. However seeing a weeks practice with the nurses in a practice would give you a much better experience. Of course if you can get a summer job as a receptionist - then at least it would be minimum wage - nothing to be sneezed at, I just wouldnt bank on there being benefits for your future career.
 
fitzaud2 said:
Just wondering if you would be willing to travel to ireland. www.lisavastud.com. They take on students for the summer.
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Do you mean http://www.lissavastud.com/??
Also if it is them I can't see any mention of it on the website? I was interested in whether this was paid work and if they provide accomadation/food. I'll drop them an email if it's the right place!!
Thanks =)
 
That is the place she is talking about. Not sure if they'd pay or provide food though! Depends on whether they were actually looking for employees at the time I would say.
 
Bananarama what area of Scotland would you consider? We might be able to offer something on our smallholding, we have 26 sheep, 2 horses, 5 geese and 7 (soon to be more hopefully) chickens. Just in case you wanted to get a wider experience for the vet thing than just horses. eg we shear the sheep by hand etc.

we are in Aberdeenshire.

edited to add I had a 'soon to be' vet student helping year before last and she said it was great cos she did also work at the vet but because of insurance etc they couldnt let her really do anything so it was all watching.
 
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lachlanandmarcus- I'd consider anywhere that I can get to as long as I have somewhere to stay! The problem is I was hoping to try and get a job as a groom over the summer as the only way I can give up my waitressing job is if I manage to get a job else where. And then the problem is if there is groom jobs available what the time scale is and how much of the summer I have left to do other things that would likely be more beneficial than just horses.
So thankyou and I may be in contact with you at some later point but really not sure what I'm doing at the moment
thanks =)
 
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