{"id":78855,"date":"2025-12-01T00:00:25","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T05:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=78855"},"modified":"2025-11-20T14:35:28","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T19:35:28","slug":"clinic-jobs-employer-1225","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/clinic-jobs-employer-1225\/","title":{"rendered":"Do the Math Before Choosing an Employer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI can\u2019t believe my contract has seven more months left!\u201d I felt trapped. A sinking sensation in my stomach made me doubt whether the sign-on bonus was worth the expense of my freedom. While I will always have fond memories of and respect for that veterinary clinic, I realized early on that my values did not align with those of the corporate owner.<\/p>\n

I have heard many stories like mine: A young veterinarian choosing a practice (often getting a sizable sign-on bonus in exchange for a multiyear commitment) and realizing before the contract expires that the employer isn\u2019t a good long-term fit.<\/p>\n

Choosing a job is one thing, but picking a practice where you feel truly at home is another.<\/p>\n

I have some advice for my fellow millennial veterinarians who want to find a clinic they can call home. I\u2019ll leave you with relationship advice from a famous astrophysicist, a touch of intuition and a bit of stoic philosophy you might not want to hear.<\/p>\n

Calculating to Find \u201cThe One\u201d<\/h3>\n

Neil deGrasse Tyson is known for his astronomical knowledge and down-to-earth demeanor, but one wouldn\u2019t expect him to give relationship advice. And isn\u2019t finding a job essentially like entering a relationship (except with paid vacation time)?<\/p>\n

In multiple interviews, the astrophysicist shared his formula for how he picked his wife, Alice Young, to whom he has been married for over 30 years.<\/p>\n

One would think choosing a relationship is all about adding up the positive attributes or perhaps prioritizing certain qualities. And while that strategy works to some extent, Tyson asserts that multiplication, not addition, makes the difference.<\/p>\n

While Tyson shared his formula to help people pick the best partner, millennial veterinarians can use the same calculation when choosing their veterinary employer.<\/p>\n

In this example, I will compare two practices: Big Clinic and Small Clinic.<\/p>\n

1. Ask Yourself, \u201cWhat Do I Care About in a Practice?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be honest and pick the most important qualities you seek. Some common ones are culture, location, pay and team competence.<\/p>\n

2. Rate the Different Characteristics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say Big Clinic is offering a $50,000 sign-on bonus (before taxes) and generous annual pay, which you rank 10 out of 10. However, you noticed that Big Clinic doesn\u2019t retain its doctors for very long, and you witnessed the head veterinarian treating a technician poorly. You give the team competence and the location a 9 out of 10, and the culture gets a zero.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Small Clinic won\u2019t offer you a dowry as a sign-on bonus \u2014 you rank the pay at 6 out of 10 \u2014 but the team competence, culture and location get a 9.<\/p>\n

3. Multiply the Numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once you rank all the areas that are important to you, it\u2019s time for multiplication. For example:<\/p>\n