title: Demographic and preliminary employment data of the first two graduate cohorts from a rural veterinary school.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report initial career experiences and graduate employment destinations 1 and 5 years following graduation of the 67 graduates from the first two graduating classes of the veterinary science program at Charles Sturt University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online survey of graduates from the 2010 and 2011 cohorts undertaken 12 months following course completion and descriptive data on graduate practice locations 5 years post-graduation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questions covered general demographic information, issues relating to work-life balance and factors influencing vocational choices. Descriptive statistics and qualitative responses are reported, with comparisons between continuous variables by two-sample t-test and between categories by Chi-square analyses. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Graduates' locations 5 years after graduation were obtained from veterinary registration details and staff contact with graduates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete survey responses were received from 39 graduates of whom 34 were employed in regional areas, 1 in a very remote area, 3 in major cities and 1 overseas. Hours worked and salary received were consistent with other survey data, with new graduates working in regional practices earning slightly more than those working in metropolitan practices. At 5 years following graduation, the majority (56/61, 92%) remained in rural or regional Australian veterinary practices, with a further five graduates overseas and one lost to follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supported the selection criteria and educational approaches at CSU in establishing most of the new graduates in rural and regional mixed veterinary practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hyams
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Raidal
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002321:Career Choice; D003710:Demography; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D012424:Rural Population; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012582:Schools, Veterinary / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Australia; employment destinations; graduate outcomes; regional/rural veterinary practice