Masters at Work: Becoming a Veterinarian

New York magazine contributing editor Kachka (Hothouse) gives valuable insight into what it takes to become a veterinarian in this addition to the Masters at Work series. His assessment is blunt and begins with the stark financial reality: vets incur the same amount of student debt as human doctors ($300,000 and up), but make significantly less (a median of $70,000). Kachka shares accounts of various procedures, the job’s day-to-day grind, and the delicate task of informing pet owners of the price of procedures, while also considering the high rates of burnout and even suicide in the profession, which will likely dent some aspiring veterinarian’s enthusiasm. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Many of Kachka’s subjects take great pride in their work, and truly enjoy its unpredictability, as well as its emotional rewards. Readers are guaranteed to walk away from Kachka’s searching work with a better understanding of what the role requires and a deeper appreciation for their local vet. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (Apr.)