Balancing EMS placements with your financial needs (hello, student debt!) can certainly be a challenge, and most students will find themselves juggling employment alongside their studies at some point. EMS is an essential part of the veterinary degree and is invaluable to your learning, but it does reduce the precious weeks available for paid employment. Placements often incur costs, too. Travel, accommodation and food must be considered, and we all know student loans don’t stretch too far!

If you aren’t blessed with financial support, it is daunting to self-fund and manage your EMS placements. This article will give you valuable tips on how to help you fulfil your EMS requirements without emptying your bank account.

Plan, plan, plan:

If you don’t already have a planner as a vet student, get one! A good planner is your best friend when planning EMS placements and is even more valuable if you have to shuffle work commitments in, too. Identify and block out potential windows for EMS placements and work shifts well in advance.

You may need to find suitable work that can be undertaken in your ‘free’ weeks, or if you’re already employed, check dates with your manager or request time off. Having a clear visualisation of your schedule helps avoid double-booking dates. Choose a method that will suit you. Paper diaries are great for traditionalists, wall planners can help you see the whole year as one, and digital diaries (e.g. Google Calendar) are great for convenience. Once you know your available weeks, you can fill them as needed. Remember to factor in some holiday weeks, too – we all need them.

Flexible working

Communicate with your employer

Many employers will be willing to accommodate your schedule, especially if you explain the necessity of undertaking EMS placements to complete your degree. Be transparent about your commitments and request any changes well in advance so you have the best chance of them being accommodated. Good communication between you and your employer will help you find a schedule that works best for both of you—whether fixed infrequent hours or more ad hoc flexible ones.

Low-key jobs

House and pet-sitting jobs can also be an excellent source of income. The added benefit is that you can sit and revise while being paid for it. Win-win!

Evening work

Jobs in bars or restaurants can be helpful as you can manage this alongside your lectures or placements. Just be careful you don’t burn yourself out, physically or mentally, and be prepared to take a step back at exam time to give yourself enough time to revise.

Agency work

A fantastic option for vet students. Hospitality agencies often allow you to choose the nights and venues you work, making it perfect for earning extra cash without too much commitment. You may also catch some of the action if you work at sports fixtures or concert halls! Temping agencies may also be able to offer you flexible short-term employment contracts. Many agencies are out there, so a Google search will be the best way to find opportunities close to you.

Financial support

If you need financial support, there are several sources available. Several veterinary companies and initiatives offer grants and bursaries. For more information, check out the EMSX ‘Guide to funding EMS placements’ article.

Universities offer financial advice, so speak to your student finance office to find out what help is available.

Try tracking your expenses to identify areas where you can cut costs, or consider setting aside a small amount of money each week into a savings account—little and often can add up. If you already have a job, consider doing more hours in your pre-clinical years when you have fewer placements to undertake and saving the income to help fund your later clinical placements.

Relevant jobs

Animal-related experience

Consider part-time jobs that involve animals for double-sided benefits. Finding work in a Pets at Home store, a kennel, a riding school, or milking for a local farmer is an excellent way of gaining income and relevant experience. Speak to the university EMS team to see if your current job can be accredited as part of your mandatory number of EMS weeks.

Transferrable skills

Even if your job is not animal-related, remember the transferrable skills you gain from it, which you could still use in CVs or portfolios. For example, you may be used to multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment or confident dealing with the general public. You can request a reference from your employer when applying for EMS placements and your first veterinary job. Showcasing your reliability, teamwork, and communication skills will be valuable; they are much sought-after attributes in the veterinary industry!

Paid EMS placements

Paid EMS placements are becoming more common, especially for pre-clinical farm placements such as lambing. When contacting farmers or other potential placement providers, you could enquire about the possibility of some form of payment - though be prepared for some to turn you down because of this! You may have more luck if you have good experience in the area. Even if they cannot pay you in money, they may offer free accommodation or food, which may be a valuable alternative.

Your peers may have recommendations based on their experiences. Networking can also be a huge help—connect with as many professionals as possible through events, social media or university networks. They might just be able to point you toward a paid placement!

Maintain your health and wellbeing

The demands of studying, working, AND placements can be overwhelming and stressful. Your partying days may need to be reined in to avoid burning yourself out. Sleep well, eat well and consider mindfulness practices like daily journalling or a short walk to help reduce stress. Keeping your mind and body healthy will mean you are better placed to learn and more likely to enjoy your EMS placements. The odd blowout is, of course, needed too. Just find your balance.

Balancing work and EMS placements as a veterinary student is challenging but achievable with careful planning. Remember, vet school is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself and utilise all the support you can—both financial and pastoral. Dedication and organization allow you to manage your commitments and get the most from your EMS experiences.