Chart of the month: What drives new grads’ job choices?

As veterinary students transition from college to career, understanding what drives their employment decisions can offer valuable insights—not just into their priorities, but also into how the profession can better support them. For employers, this offers a roadmap to attracting, supporting, and retaining top talent.

Findings from the latest AVMA Graduating Senior Survey are illuminating.

What the data show

In 2024, mentorship was the number one reason new graduates accepted the job they did—cited by 82% of respondents who accepted a position of employment. 

Other top factors included location, people, compensation, work hours, wellbeing, and benefits. 

What does this mean?

Since 2020, when AVMA first began tracking these preferences, mentorship has consistently ranked as the top reason new veterinarians accept a job—ahead of even compensation and benefits. Also more influential than compensation and benefits: the people those new veterinarians expect to work with.

Both statistics speak volumes: Most new veterinarian wants to feel supported—personally and professionally—as they enter the profession. 

What to do with this information

For employers, the message is clear: Mentorship is more than a perk—it’s a powerful recruitment and retention tool. To turn mentorship into a true differentiator that sets your business apart, you need to advertise it and deliver on it. 

• Promote mentorship in job postings. Be specific about how you will support new hires. 
• Follow through. Build trust and loyalty with a consistent, structured experience that supports new veterinarians every day.
• Weave mentorship into daily practice. Offer formal, comprehensive onboarding; regular check-ins; and ongoing opportunities for professional growth.

While building a robust mentorship program can be challenging in a busy practice, external programs can help bridge the gap. A great example is AVMA’s MentorVet Connect program, which offers free, structured mentorship to all AVMA members within their first 10 years after graduation. The program connects these early-career veterinarians with trained mentors outside of their own workplace, who can provide both emotional and career support on a broad range of matters.

For job seekers, let the AVMA Career Center work for you. The newly enhanced center is designed to help you find the opportunity that checks all your boxes, whether that includes mentorship, location, work-life balance, or something else.
 
One more thing…While mentorship and people lead the way, new veterinarians also care about pay, hours, and benefits. Find the latest trends in the 2025 AVMA Report on the Economic State of the Veterinary Profession—free to all AVMA members—and use those insights to make informed decisions for your career or business.