Virtual Center Will Bring Life Skills to Students, Veterinarians

Illinois veterinary students will be intimately involved in developing and maintaining the site to ensure that it will meet student needs. April Finan, Class of 2005 (at left), and Frank Lee, Class of 2006, are working on this project under the direction of Mary Kelm (center in photo) and Dr. Christine Merle (not pictured).

In recognition of the increasing importance of providing life skills to veterinary students, the Schnurmacher Foundations have made a grant of $100,000 over four years to the College for the creation of a Veterinary Resource Center Web Site.

“The main purpose of the site will be to provide current veterinary students at the College with information about externships, summer job openings, and other opportunities for career exploration as well as with valuable tools for tasks such as creating a personal financial plan, writing a resume, and interviewing potential employers,” says Dr. Christine Merle, assistant dean for public engagement, who was instrumental in procuring the grant.

Dr. Peter Weinstein, a 1986 graduate of the College who is a full-time practice management consultant, is a member of the board of the Schnurmacher Foundations, a private foundation based in New York. He approached the College about creating a program that could help students prepare for “life after vet school.”

He notes, “Anything that provides veterinary students with resources in an easily accessible and speedy fashion will contribute to their quality of life after veterinary school. I expect this to be not only a national resource with time, but possibly a global resource for veterinarian students all over the world.”

“We hope to be ready to introduce at least the jobs database portion of the site at the Job Fair and Fall Conference on October 8 through 10,” says Mary Kelm, assistant dean for academic and student affairs, who is working with students to create the site.

The site will supplement the orientation and business courses now being taught at the College and will offer resources such as recommended books, courses, articles, and other useful Web sites.