The Importance of Soft Skill Development for Veterinary Technology Graduates and Veterinary Businesses

Abstract

Freshman veterinary technology students and practicing veterinarians were both surveyed to determine their perceptions of the importance of skills needed to be successful in a veterinary technology career. Questions focused on distinguishing between soft business skills and technical skills. Findings indicated that practicing veterinarians prized teamwork skills as the overall most important trait in a potential employee. Students rated the ability to work in a group as important, but not as high as management skills. Students did recognize the importance of soft skills such as communication and conflict resolution. These findings confirmed students have mixed perspectives on the importance of technical versus soft skills in the veterinary technology industry. Students indicate that they understand the importance of business related skills in the profession. It is important that educators work to develop graduates who add soft skills to the traditional technical skills they receive in their program. Industry professionals value soft skills and in a competitive environment for employees, it will be important to prepare students to become industry ready graduates.