Bringing veterinary careers to life at New Scientist Live

Attracting around 23,000 visitors over three days, the event provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase the veterinary professions and inspire the next generation of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.

Our stand offered young people a hands on insight into what a career in the veterinary professions can involve, with a range of interactive activities to try.

Activities on the stand included:

• Bob the dog: This soft toy dog helped demonstrate some of the procedures carried out by vets and vet nurses when dogs swallow things they shouldn't. Using X-rays, students identified objects hidden in Bob's 'stomach' and 'intestines', before learning how these might be removed and having a go at basic suturing techniques.
• Frodo the dog: Visitors took on the role of a vet or vet nurse to help treat Frodo, who had a grass seed lodged in his ear. They learnt about the anatomy of a dog's ear and had a go at identifying and removing the grass seed, helping to relieve poor Frodo of his uncomfortable predicament.
• Parasites under the microscope: Students examined slides showing different types of parasites and compared what they could see with 3D parasite models. The activity also highlighted how veterinary careers can involve laboratory work and research, as well as working directly with animals.
• Colouring for younger visitors: Our colouring table proved particularly popular over the weekend, when more families attended the event, giving younger children the chance to get involved too.

The stand received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with several students telling us it was the best stand they had visited. Visitors particularly enjoyed the hands on activities and the opportunity to speak to veterinary professionals and current students about their roles, experiences and routes into the profession.

We were joined by vets, vet nurses, current students and further and higher education providers, who helped answer questions about studying and working in the veterinary profession. Many visitors were particularly interested in learning about work experience opportunities before applying to veterinary courses, as well as the different educational pathways into the profession.

It was a great opportunity to bring veterinary careers to life, challenge young people's perceptions of what the profession involves and help them take their first steps towards a future in the veterinary profession.

For more information about veterinary careers and routes into the profession, visit our student and careers page.