Throughout the years, AAHA has devoted considerable resources to helping the next generation of veterinary students prepare for their careers and encouraging them to participate in the profession's growth.

Now, AAHA has announced that it is shifting its primary focus to recent veterinary school graduates - a group that is too often overlooked by career development programs.

AAHA's board of directors reached this decision after examining the multitude of programs from numerous associations, pet food companies, and pharmaceutical companies focusing on students. It became apparent that while active students have plenty of resources available to them, "there appears to be a significant void in programs designed to help the recent veterinary school graduate," said Michael T. Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP, AAHA chief executive officer.

Stith Keiser, business manager, AAHA Career Development and My Veterinary Career, explained how AAHA is approaching its large-scale effort to help recent graduates.

"AAHA is currently working with our board, corporate partners, practitioners, and leaders to develop new program offerings geared specifically to aiding recent graduates in their job search, providing them with accountable mentorship, helping them transition into practice, and setting them on an eventual path toward practice ownership," Keiser said.

Changes to the AAHA Career Development Program

The revised AAHA Career Development Program, which takes effect Aug. 1, will offer a wealth of free virtual resources to veterinary school graduates up to three years after they complete their education. These resources include:

• Complimentary AAHA membership
• Complimentary online subscription to award-winning Trends magazine
• Complimentary online subscription to the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (JAAHA)
• Discounted (50 percent off) registration to the AAHA Yerly Conference
• Resources available through My Veterinary Career (including resume/cover letter reviews, contract negotiations, interviewing tips, and job matching)
• Resources available on the AAHA website (including information on career planning, financial planning, and life balance)
• Resources available through AAHA's ongoing participation in Partners for Healthy Pets (including a new certificate program)

Current veterinary students will have access to the same resources, although they receive complimentary registration to the AAHA Yearly Conference.  

"We very much appreciate and value the role students play in the future of our profession and wish to continue to support their efforts," said Cavanaugh. "We believe the energy and resources we invest in the recent graduate time frame will be most impactful to helping these men and women achieve career fulfillment and success in our profession."