What Are You Doing After Graduation?—A Story of Hustle and Heart

“Hey Matt, what do you want to do after you graduate veterinary school?”

It’s a question every veterinary student hears often, and from all directions. For many of us, it’s both daunting and thrilling, representing the crossroads between years of study and the career we've been working toward. As I transitioned from my third year of classroom learning into the fourth year of clinical rotations, that question became more real. The gears of post-graduate planning were already in motion.

In our final year, veterinary students often have the opportunity to complete two to three off-campus externship blocks. These rotations allow us to gain experience in areas that match our career goals and scope out potential jobs after graduation. As an aspiring small animal general practitioner, I knew I wanted to use these blocks strategically. My goal was to gain hands-on experience while also exploring practices I could potentially call home after school.

With that in mind, I developed a framework to guide my search. I identified three to four “pillar” qualities I was looking for in a practice:

1. A multi-doctor environment

2. A strong emphasis on teamwork and mentorship

3. The ability to follow a case from start to finish, including in-house surgery and overnight care (something not all general practices offer)

   
   

True to my Type A nature, I completed reflective questionnaires, made spreadsheets, and ranked priorities to stay organized. I spent hours combing through online listings, bookmarking practices, and sending cold emails with my resume and cover letter, hoping to land externships at hospitals that checked all the boxes.

Persistence was key. Many emails went unanswered, but I followed up every few weeks, determined to connect with someone who might see the value in my enthusiasm. While some might consider this overly persistent, I saw it as a demonstration of my commitment. After all, if I were an employer receiving heartfelt messages from a student genuinely inspired by my practice, I’d want to take that conversation further.

Eventually, I secured three externship blocks at hospitals that aligned beautifully with my goals. I treated each as a two-week working interview—bringing my full energy, curiosity, and compassion to each experience. Over time, one practice began to stand out. It checked every box and felt like the right fit, not just professionally but personally.

During my externship there, I had several meaningful sit-downs with the practice owner. We talked about my aspirations, broader trends in the field, and shared stories from our lives. By the end of the rotation, they offered me the job.

Surgery - Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, New Jersey

Four years later, I’m still there—and still loving it.

Reflecting back on that season of research, outreach, and soul-searching, I can confidently say I found what I was looking for in my first job. I’ve had the opportunity to practice medicine the way I envisioned as a student and to grow within a team that values support, learning, and collaboration.

The journey hasn’t ended; in fact, it’s still unfolding. But landing that first role, and building a career I love, started with clarity, intentionality, and a whole lot of perseverance.

Dentistry - Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital, New Jersey