Females in Veterinary Medicine: Why the Choice?

Veterinary Medicine as a profession has undergone a change from a male-oriented one, to being predominantly female. The increase in female students is a reflection of the increasing interest in veterinary medicine by females. This study focused on reasons for the specific choice of veterinary medical education among female veterinary students. A life history approach was applied in order to explore the lives of six female veterinary students from St. George’s University, School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada. This methodology involved using interviews to collect personal accounts of students’ life experiences that provided data about the reasons for the choice of female students to pursue veterinary medical education. The theoretical framework that served as the base for this thesis was grounded theory. Interviews were transcribed, exerted to concept identification, data reduction, and thematic representations for analysis. The study revealed that life experiences as well as socio-cultural realities surrounding the lives of the students were crucial in understanding the influences and reasons for their choice of veterinary medicine. A Life Stages Theory emerged from the use of grounded theory approach to data analysis which identified personal, financial and academic needs as primary to create interest in veterinary medicine. The experiential enquiry into the students’ lives also recognized pet ownership, exposure to knowledge of veterinary medicine as well as positive perceptions of veterinarians and veterinary medical practice as reasons for the choice of veterinary medicine. The final choice of veterinary medicine by females was found to be based on their personal interests, their ability to overcome financial and academic barriers and receive opportunities of alternative academic pathways. The new insights created on reasons for the choice of veterinary medicine can be applied to student career advisement and review of applicants for admission into veterinary schools.