Veterinarians and veterinary students interested in private foundation or international work often ask questions about my job. My answers come with the caveat that, as with much of veterinary medicine, there is no single right answer.
My time in veterinary practice fortified some of the most critical job skills I use daily. Understanding clients, practicing empathy and understanding, handling stress, and presenting a calm face to those in need of guidance are skills best honed in a practice. However, I believe if clinical practice is not your calling, you will likely dislike your job, your teammates, your patients, and your clients—and they all deserve better, so do not force it. Work in a veterinary practice to learn if that is your true calling and if you want to learn from your team members, clients, and patients, not because you think you should.
Remain open to possibilities and push yourself outside your comfort zone. I have learned I am at my best—most open to learning and most impacted by my surroundings—when I am outside my comfort zone. I was not ready to leave clinical practice when I got the opportunity for the AAAS fellowship, nor was I ready to leave USAID when I was offered the BMGF position, but I chose to take the leap and will work hard to make sure the move was the right decision.
I have one piece of advice for those seeking nontraditional jobs, particularly in NGOs: keep trying. Every ounce of experience helps make you a better candidate. Learn to communicate precisely what you want to do (preferably in a few concise words), seek out learning opportunities related to your goal, and you will quickly find that you can intelligently and convincingly explain how your experiences speak to your passion and why you are the right choice for the job.
I spent years honing in on the catchphrase of my passion (livestock in international development) until it was so engrained in my consciousness that I anything I did related back to my goal in a meaningful way.