Expert: Dr. Christina Chambreau - 12/10/2011

Question
Hello! My name is Larry, and I currently attend high-school. I want to pursue a career as a veterinarian, and I am required to interview a professional in a career of my choice. If you have the time out of your day to some answer some questions I would be VERY GRATEFUL.

1. Describe your present job (responsibilities, typical day, salary, benefits)
2. What education and preparation is required for your present job?
3. What and/or who influenced your decision to choose this job?
4. What are the most important skills for success in your present work?
5. What changes have taken place in your workplace in the last five to ten years (ie. technology, concern for environment, globalization of economy, etc.)? What caused these changes?
6. What advice would you give to a young person entering your career area?
7. What are the best and worst aspects of your job?
8.What is the future outlook for potential employment in your present career area?

Answer
Glad you want to join the profession, Larry. Please read my posts here an go to my web site to learn about holistic approaches. Hopefully you will follow that path.

1.  Describe your present job (responsibilities, typical day, salary, benefits)
Mine is very different as I started holistic consulting in the 80s and do not have a clinic. My clients call me anytime their animals are ill and we decide if they need to see a local veterinarian for diagnosis. Usually they do not. I then consult many homeopathic books to determine the best remedy. I will get calls to follow up on the response of the animals to the treatment prescribed. I coach people on feeding a fresh food diet and not giving any vaccines except the legally required Rabies. I work on my web site to empower people to learn for themselves. I am the owner of a homeopathic and holistic veterinary practice that includes speaking at veterinary conferences around the world, health food stores, breed clubs, dog and cat clubs, and many other groups. I also teach teleseminars and 2-7 day classes on holistic health for animals and homeopathy for animals. I teach veterinary technicians.My benefits are working at home. Clients are very grateful to me. My salary in $1,000 per month for 10 hours per week. The rest ($40,000)goes back into my company for future income.
2. What education and preparation is required for your present job?
Since you are planning to be a veterinarian I will let you look up the answers to this question for current requirements in your country.  
3. What and/or who influenced your decision to choose this job?
7th grade I worked in the summer at the Air Force Base Veterinary Clinic for $.25/hour - yes a quarter an hour. I worked a lot - do not remember how much.I learned to do fecal exams to look for parasite eggs. I was allowed to help with surgery and even do some stitching. I read veterinary text books. I learned how to empty anal glands. I learned how to listen to the heart. I decided to become a veterinarian when I grew up.
4. What are the most important skills for success in your present work?
Communication with people, love of learning, personal growth to trust my intuition and skills, persistence when animals are not healing well, compassion.
5. What changes have taken place in your workplace in the last five to ten years (ie. technology, concern for environment, globalization of economy, etc.)? What caused these changes?
Not much, frankly, in the profession as a whole. In my own practice, I have seen a huge improvement in health when people follow basic holistic principles - only vaccinate for Rabies after the puppy or kitten shots, feed a raw meat diet, use holistic treatments from the beginning. I know a cat who lived to 35 and a border collie still alive at 24. Holistic treatments are very environmental.
6. What advice would you give to a young person entering your career area?
Read books that help you examine what you like and what style worker you are. Myers Briggs tests and others will help with this. Think about what makes you happy - being with people animals, books, etc. Then list the jobs that fit you. Then work in those jobs. To get into veterinary school you MUST work at many clinics, so that is good for any career. Read books about the veterinary profession - there are lots now. Seek out books and veterinarians who are using holistic approaches. volunteer at shelters, clinics, with horse vets, large animal vets, zoo vets, lab vets - immerse yourself in the profession.
7. What are the best and worst aspects of your job?
BEST: helping people learn the true principles of healing and the basic health principles of building health. Worst: when I cannot heal animals or people come to me after trying conventional medicine first, so their animals are quite ill.
8.What is the future outlook for potential employment in your present career area?
Great for holistic approaches.