WVU holds veterinary career fair for aspiring students

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Erikson Alumni Center in Morgantown hosted a career day for aspiring veterinary students on Saturday, a field that’s not only important for pets, but also to the security of America’s food supply .

During the fair, current and prospective college students were able to get a better understanding of the veterinary field as well as how to complete their degree with a minimal amount of student debt thanks to resources like the Davis-Michael Scholars program and Scholarship .

Dr. George Seiler, a WVU veterinarian and member of the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, says that events like this one are a key part of filling the large number of openings in the field of veterinary medicine. Although not all veterinary organizations agree on the severity of these shortages , it’s a fact that veterinary medicine is important at all levels, whether you live in a rural agricultural area, or more urban areas like Morgantown or Charleston.

“The United States is about 15,000 short on the number of veterinarians that we need, in the rural areas especially,” Seiler said.

But, however important these positions might be for a town or city, the level of commitment rigorous coursework can be a major hurdle for some students. With enough determination however, these barriers can be overcome by promising students.

“Start early, learn to study, get experience, and make sure that’s what you want to do because it’s seven to eight years of schooling to become a veterinarian,” Seiler said.

If you want to learn more about WVU’s veterinary medicine program, you can visit the Davis Michael Scholarship Program website here .

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