Progress 08/01/23 to 07/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is 11th and 12th grade students from across the country that are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and/or animal science/pre-vet options. The ideal targeted students for this projectdo not have access to veterinary science education in their county programs or high school setting. Students addressed in this outreach effortare pursuing education and experience as aveterinary assistant while completing their high school education. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program has continued to stress the importance for professional conversation, outreach and educational development for VSCP staff to become familiar with needs of high school students and the needs for students that lack these educational opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results and progress of students in the program have been shared with our customer base, attendees at conferences, social media, educational presentation with stakeholders. We continue to provide current numbers and lack of educational opportunities to industry professionals, organized veterinary associations and communities of interest. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Year 3 of the project will continue required monthly check ins by all students regardless of their progress from all 3 years. Students will continue to beassisted one on one with any difficulties they might be having. These struggles might includefinding a veterinarian in their community to complete hands on clinical skills and hours,how to develop a resume and business card,how to dress for an interview, how to inquire about volunteer or paid positions, professional ethics in the workplace including cell phone and social media use, The DVMs and LVT on the VSCP staff help students identify clinics within their community that might consider hosting a student. The program also continues to reach out to the veterinary community to recruit veterinarians to participate in this program by going to veterinary conferences and talking to professionals about the impact of participating in this program and how they play a key role in the recruiting the next generation of veterinarians.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The first cohort of students was accepted into the program on August 1, 2022. There were 30 students in the first cohort. Those students represented the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Dakota and Texas. Of those 30 students, 4have completed the program and have passed the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Veterinary Assistant Certification Exam, earning their Veterinary Assistant Certification. The second cohort of students was accepted into the program on August 1, 2023. There were 35students in the second cohort. These students represented the states of Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. Of those 1student hascompleted the program and have passed the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Veterinary Assistant Certification exam. Currently we are serving 65 students from 13 different states with 5 students fully completed. We continue to assist students with career counseling, mentoring and advising on the process to obtain their veterinary assistant designation.
Publications
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Progress 08/01/22 to 07/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is 11th and 12th grade students from across the country that are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and/or animal science/pre-vet options. These students do not have access to veterinary science education in their county or high school setting. Students reached are pursuing a certification as a veterinary assistant while completing their high school education. Students enrolled in the online independent study veterinary assistant course work on curriculum/activities at a self-guided pace. They check in with the program staff regularly to ask questions, show progress and get career counseling on next steps and options once completed. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The program has allowed for professional development for VSCP staff to become familiar with needs of high school students, the opportunities that they lack and how this program can be of assistance to many students that can assist in the lack of veterinarians in the rural areas and food animal production. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Awareness of the program and opportunities for the coursework and certification?have been shared with our customer base, attendees at conferences, social media, educational presentation with stakeholders. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue working to recruit the next cohort of 35 students for the Cycle 3 students to have access. We will assist them in career exploration and counseling in pursuing veterinary medicine as a professional. We will continue to support Cycle 1 and 2 students and assist them with completion of the course and certification?options as a veterinary assistant in their respective state.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We accepted 30 students in the first cohort of students to begin working on the distance-based curriculum. Students from various backgrounds have been actively working towards the completion of the education/coursework and working towards their certification as a veterinary assistant. Students are simultaneouslycompleting their hands on clinical requirements in their local communities. These 2 items are coupled with assistance from the program staff to help navigate career options and post high school opportunities in veterinary medicine. We have also recruited the second cohort of students which is an additional 35 students. We have verified these students and given them the tools necessary to begin the program on August 1, 2023.
Publications
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