Job satisfaction, changes in occupational area, and commitment to a career in food supply veterinary medicine

Abstract

Major concerns in the demand and supply of veterinarians for food supply veterinary medicine (FSVM) involve job satisfaction, changes in occupational area (ie, switching careers within veterinary medicine), and commitment to a career in FSVM. To create meaningful strategies aimed at increasing the commitment of veterinary students and practitioners to this area of veterinary medicine, a thorough understanding of the forces that influence job satisfaction, changes in occupational area, and career commitment in the field of FSVM is needed. The study reported here was conducted to generate information about veterinary students and practitioners who change their focus from food animal medicine to other occupational areas in the veterinary profession. The phenomenon of switching careers in veterinary medicine has been discussed in terms of the early years during the career of veterinarians, when they choose to leave their first job and change their occupational area. It has been reported 1