Career pathways of New Zealand veterinary graduates : influences, experiences, and decisions : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
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Date
2021
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Massey University
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Abstract
As local and international concern about a shortage of veterinarians grows, developing an
understanding of veterinarians’ career pathways and the factors that influence their career decisions is of increasing importance. The aim of this research was to explore the patterns that exist among the career pathways of two cohorts of New Zealand veterinary graduates, 10- and 20-years post-graduation, and to identify the factors that had been influential in shaping their career trajectories. A mixed methods approach provided a means to develop a detailed understanding of veterinarians’ career pathways through integration of survey (n=109) and interview (n=25) data. Perceptions of why people cease veterinary work were documented alongside the lived career experiences of these two cohorts of Massey University veterinary graduates.
Cohort members’ career pathways were varied. Most (83%) held a clinical veterinary role 10 years
after graduation. However, after 20 years, fewer (57%) held clinical veterinary roles. Almost one-quarter of the 20-year cohort worked in non-veterinary roles, and a further 14% held non-clinical veterinary roles. Some aspects of career patterns differed between the men and women and between the two cohorts, but there were also similarities.
Veterinarians’ career decisions were multifaceted, and six key themes were developed to describe
the factors that influenced them. Considering the cohort members’ material, social, and cognitive
work values provided a useful lens through which to explore how their work environments and
personal characteristics and aspirations influenced their career decisions. Veterinarians’ workplace experiences and the degree of fit between their personal characteristics and aspirations, and the workplace environment, influenced their feelings towards their work and their state of wellbeing, which in turn influenced their career decisions. However, these factors alone were insufficient to fully describe the influences on veterinarians’ career decision-making. Opportunities, professional networks, and non-work factors also played a key role in shaping cohort members’ career trajectories.
The findings of this research provide insight into the career patterns and decision-making of New
Zealand veterinarians which will be useful for future workforce planning, and in developing
initiatives to enhance veterinarians’ career fulfilment and retention within clinical practice and the New Zealand veterinary profession.
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Keywords
Veterinary medicine, Study and teaching, Veterinary students, Education, New Zealand, Veterinarians, Employment opportunities, Career development