Why is this important? Shouldn’t I be learning about something interesting like anal glands? 

Valid question! And a question you should always ask yourself before starting a course! 

The veterinary profession is separated into two groups, and recent graduates certainly fall into these categories. One group is very discontented with their career choice. They don’t enjoy their work, they despise the people they work with, and they are falling behind on their finances. 

On the other hand, there is a group of veterinarians (and recent grads) that are doing great financially, they love their work and they love the people they work with. 

Why is there a disparity between these two groups? They have the same degree, training, and skills. After years of scratching my head, I truly believe that the well-paid and happy group have all individually gone through the process of negotiation. They 1) decided what was important to them, 2) found an employer that has aligned interests and 3) have asked for the things they need. Yes this is a gross simplification, but these are the necessary steps to take. This is about more than money. Money is important, but this is your wellness, career and life that we are working on here. The decisions you make will impact your family, health and wellness. From my perspective working with thousands of veterinarians at both ends of the spectrum, highly successful and literally on the brink of suicide, this content is the most important information that I can impress upon you. Negotiation is much more than money or benefits. It's the process of you finding and landing the best possible job that you can. The money is often secondary to that. 

However, we still need to talk about the money. 

Here’s a secret - No good business person or well-managed practice ever puts their best offer down first. They are expecting you to negotiate. Yet associate veterinarians rarely do. What does this mean? This means that the practice pockets the unasked for money! Fair and square. 

In my experience, if you simply ask for the right things, and ask for them correctly, you can earn an extra $5,000-$15,000, your first year out of veterinary school. Some graduates that we work with sign contracts that are $30,000 over what their first offer was. This is real money. It is an excellent way to start savings, have a great work-life balance, and to be well. Is it worth learning the process to negotiate effectively? Is it worth taking the extra time to prepare for negotiating effectively? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. You need to decide if you want to be in the group of veterinarians that are paid appropriately and that are happy with their career choices. Alternatively, you have to express a lot of anal glands to earn an extra $30,000!