I just returned from attending the American Association of Bovine Practitioners’ (AABP) 56th Annual Convention. The meeting was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By all accounts, the meeting was well-attended with just over 1100 attendees. This was a nice recovery following a disappointing turnout last year in Long Beach, California (which I am told resulted in a significant loss in revenue for the association). Overall, the practitioners I spoke with seemed positive and the general tone of the meeting was upbeat. I think everyone was happy to be coming together again and getting back to “normal.” It occurred to me that our two organizations have really grown up together.
I had the opportunity to sit in on their Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday. As I listened to them work their way through the issues on the agenda, I was struck by how similar their challenges are to ours. One of the main concerns for AABP members is the employment of recent graduates. The board discussed the results of a recent senior student survey conducted by the association. The results mirror many of the challenges the swine veterinary profession is facing as well.
The survey was distributed to 273 AABP student members with graduation dates in 2023, of which 161 responded. The gender breakdown was approximately 24% male, 75% female, and 1% nonbinary. When asked what they plan to do post graduation, 117 respondents planned to enter a mixed-animal practice while 27 were going into a bovine-exclusive private practice. Five individuals reported planning to work with bovine but not in private practice and 12 were not planning to work with bovine going forward. The overall breakdown indicated that 148 respondents would be working in private practice, 7 completing internships, 1 in industry, and 5 reported “other.”
In an effort to evaluate the employment opportunities available to this year’s graduates, the survey asked how many job offers each individual had received. Survey results indicated that 102 respondents had received 3 or more offers, 36 had received 2 offers, 18 had received one offer, and 4 reported receiving no job offers. Starting salary ranges offered were < $69,999 (18 respondents), $70,000 – $84,999 (56 respondents), $85,000 – $99,999 (44 respondents), and >$100,000 (42 respondents).
The starting salary ranges were interesting considering the reported levels of student debt. Seventeen students reported having no educational debt, 45 students had <$100,000, 72 students had $100,000 – $200,000, and 26 students found themselves saddled with over $200,000 of educational debt. Obviously, the amount of educational debt made starting salary a significant consideration when evaluating employment opportunities (46 respondents included salary/compensation as an obstacle to employment). Salary, however, was not the only consideration respondents noted. Nine listed biases of various types as an obstacle to employment and 95 expressed concerns over the hours of work required.
As you are hopefully aware, AASV is exploring the issue of attracting veterinarians and recent graduates to the swine veterinary profession, as well as how to retain those currently practicing. We have funded a study to engage with a sample of our members that have decided to either move away from swine practice or out of swine medicine altogether. The goal of this study is to help us understand what issues are driving this migration with the hope of shifting that tide. In addition, the AASV Foundation is also considering ways they might contribute to encouraging students to pursue a career in swine veterinary medicine.
The 2023 AASV Salary Survey provides some insight into the current status of employment within the swine veterinary profession as expressed by AASV members. I hope you were one of the 43% of our eligible members that took the time to participate in the survey.
When you have the chance, take the time to encourage a student that might be interested in swine medicine or an existing member who might be considering a move away from swine. You are the best ambassador for our profession.
Harry Snelson, DVM
Executive Director