| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Restrain animals during exams or procedures. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status. |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages. |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Prepare treatment rooms for surgery. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition. |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair. |
| Importance: 94 (%) | Description: Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Schedule appointments and procedures for animals. |
Associate Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less - All On One Page.
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Associate's Degree or less.
An associate's degree can open doors to skilled technical, healthcare, and business support roles without the time commitment of a four-year degree. For people who want a faster, more affordable path into a stable career. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 484 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Veterinary Technologists and Technicians" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Description: Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Veterinary Technologists and Technicians":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
114,400U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
131,500
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
17,100 (14.9%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
10,400
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 39 (%) | Description: Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain. | |
| Administer basic health care or medical treatments. | |
| Administer non-intravenous medications. | |
| Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. | |
| Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments. | |
| Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities. | |
| Care for animals. | |
| Clean medical equipment or facilities. | |
| Collect biological specimens from patients. | |
| Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members. | |
| Immunize patients. | |
| Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment. | |
| Maintain medical equipment or instruments. | |
| Maintain medical facility records. | |
| Merchandise healthcare products or services. | |
| Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. | |
| Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments. | |
| Operate diagnostic imaging equipment. | |
| Order medical supplies or equipment. | |
| Perform clerical work in medical settings. | |
| Position patients for treatment or examination. | |
| Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis. | |
| Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use. | |
| Prepare medications or medical solutions. | |
| Prepare patients physically for medical procedures. | |
| Process medical billing information. | |
| Process x-rays or other medical images. | |
| Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers. | |
| Schedule patient procedures or appointments. | |
| Sterilize medical equipment or instruments. | |
| Supervise patient care personnel. | |
| Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions. | |
| Train medical providers. | |
| Treat dental problems or diseases. | |
| Treat medical emergencies. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Administer basic health care or medical treatments. |
| Activity: Administer diagnostic tests to assess patient health. |
| Activity: Administer emergency medical treatment. |
| Activity: Advise patients or clients on medical issues. |
| Activity: Assist healthcare practitioners during medical procedures. |
| Activity: Assist individuals with special needs. |
| Activity: Care for plants or animals. |
| Activity: Clean medical equipment or facilities. |
| Activity: Collect environmental or biological samples. |
| Activity: Execute financial transactions. |
| Activity: Explain medical information to patients or family members. |
| Activity: Maintain health or medical records. |
| Activity: Maintain medical equipment or instruments. |
| Activity: Monitor health conditions of humans or animals. |
| Activity: Operate medical equipment. |
| Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities. |
| Activity: Prepare medical equipment or work areas for use. |
| Activity: Prepare mixtures or solutions. |
| Activity: Prepare specimens or materials for testing. |
| Activity: Purchase goods or services. |
| Activity: Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products. |
| Activity: Schedule appointments. |
| Activity: Sell products or services. |
| Activity: Supervise personnel activities. |
| Activity: Train others on health or medical topics. |
| Activity: Treat injuries, illnesses, or diseases. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Microsoft Access |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Microsoft Outlook |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Presentation software: |
| Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software: |
| Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| FileMaker Pro Practice management software PMS |
| Internet browser software: |
| Web browser software |
| Medical software: |
| Animal Intelligence Software Animal Intelligence McAllister Software Systems AVImark Veterinary practice management software PMS |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
| These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 41.3 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 26.4 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.6 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.4 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.5 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.9 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 31.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 17.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 11.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 10.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Certifications
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician
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Certified Journeyman Farriers - Forging Endorsement
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Laboratory Animal Technologist
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Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician - Cardiology
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Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician - Large Animal Internal Medicine
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Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician - Neurology
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Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician - Oncology
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Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician - Small Animal Internal Medicine
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Veterinary Technician National Exam
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Veterinary Technician Specialist in Nutrition
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Veterinary Technician Specialist- Nutrition
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Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT)
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Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Veterinary Technologists and Technicians". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
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