University vs. Private Practice Internships: Which one should I rank higher?
Posted on November 1, 2009
There are many good internship programs both in private practice and in the university setting, but how does one choose between the two? In evaluating which environment is better suited for you, one very important factor is how well organized and structured the internship program is. More specifically, how good is the mentorship, how many specialty services will you rotate through, how many other interns are there, how much emergency work (after-hours) will you be expected to perform, what’s the history of interns from that program who get a residency if they apply for them, and what opportunities for formal instruction are there (i.e. journal club, intern rounds, morbidity & mortality rounds, pathophysiology rounds, etc.).
Be forewarned, not all internship programs are created equally. Generally speaking, most university internships are fairly well organized and structured. Private practice internships can also be well organized but you should check out private practice internships thoroughly and also speak with previous interns if possible. There have been occasions were practices are just looking for cheap labor without providing opportunities for you to learn and grow as a veterinarian. Below is a list of general characteristics for small animal internships in a university and private practice setting. Be aware that there are some private practice internships that can have all the characteristics of a university internship and some universities that can have characteristics of private practice internships.
| University
Fully staffed with board-certified specialists Inefficient Access to most advanced diagnostics and therapeutics Typically lower case load Must be willing to teach vet students Numerous formal teaching opportunities May have research component Availability of licensed veterinary technicians Usually well organized Usually fewer opportunities to perform procedures May not have primary case responsibility
|
Private Practice
May have fewer board-certified specialists May have fewer specialties represented Usually highly efficient May have limited access to advanced diagnostics and treatments (eg radiation therapy, MRI, nuclear medicine, etc) Usually have higher case loads Usually does not involve teaching vet students Fewer formal teaching opportunities Salary may be slightly better More hands on experience Usually have a busier emergency caseload Usually longer shifts and work weeks Potential lack of nation-wide reputability |
Each setting will have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important for you to pick what you believe will satisfy your requirements and future aspirations the best. Again, look into the reputation of the internship (university or private practice) and speak to former interns for their impressions.
Equine internships are a different story (unfortunately there are very few food animal internships available). The vast majority of equine internships are in the private practice setting. Although some universities have equine internships, most only have one or two internship positions per university. There are many very good equine internships available, but there are also many bad ones too. If you (or your mentors) have never heard of the practice, you should go visit the practice that you are considering to evaluate the practice and the program. If possible, talk with the current intern in private for a candid discussion of the internship. One disadvantage of some equine internships is that you may be working with only one or two veterinarians. This can be great if they are good mentors and instructors but it can be awful if they are not interested in teaching you.
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[...] You will find recent advice columns from Vetstradamus about letters of recommendation and personal statements. We also have informative articles about whether or not an internship is right for you, written by Dr. Brad Smith. There is also an article comparing academic versus private practice internships. [...]