Academia vs. Private Practice as a Specialist

[stressy.depressy]

Hi all! I'm only a first year so I have a LOT of time to think about this, but I'm interested in specializing in neurology and was thinking the other day about how going into academia/being faculty at a vet school might be interesting. I was hoping there might be some current faculty on here (in any specialty) that could chime in on what they like/dislike about working at a vet school, research commitments on a clinical track, why you chose academia vs. private practice, etc. Salary numbers for private practice are hard to come by for the specialties but it seems like at least for neuro, going into academia would be a pretty substantial difference in pay compared to private practice. However, I do think I would enjoy teaching and working with vet students.

Going into academia isn't something I see talked about very often at my school, it seems like the assumption is that most people will go into private practice, so I would love some opinions either way! Thanks everyone!

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[that redhead]

@VIN-Foundation - I believe the poster under this username is a neurologist in academia who may be able to offer some insight.

 

[KCgophervet]

Not a neurologist but am a specialist in academia (lab animal). Pay difference is large (academia pays less by... a good margin) but jobs tend to be more stable (don't tend to see large layoffs for instance). More options for loan forgiveness I think currently makes up for a lower salary. More ability to be involved in future generations of vets when connected to a vet school and/or a residency program. I chose it for the non-salary-related perks (ie mentorship of future generations) primarily and the job security.

I can expand more if interested but it really comes down to what you want to do with your career and what you find most fulfilling (but will still pay the bills).

 

[JaynaAli]

From talking to friends in other specialties, the salary difference between academia and diagnostic pathology is smaller than in clinical specialties, but it still exists. Clinical track pathology salaries are in the 90-120 range and probably start around 120-140 in the major labs. In industry (such as preclinical drug safety or CROs) salary is higher, probably near 200. It’s quite a bit easier to get substantial raises in diagnostics versus academia too. I’m three years out, was hired at a salary of 113k and now make around 160k base salary at a diagnostic lab. My friend at a vet school is still making about what they started out getting. The biggest difference though for academia versus diagnostic pathology is quality of life and work life balance, in my opinion. I work for a lab and after I complete my daily case quota, that’s all I have to do. I shut off my computer, close the office door, and can do whatever I want. No on call, no lectures to prepare, no papers looming unless you just want to write up a case, and I don’t even check my email when I’m not actively working or when I’m on PTO. My friends who are pathologists in academia spend evenings and weekends preparing lectures, writing exams, doing silly paperwork like promotion packets, etc. For those that love teaching and that academia life, they love it and it’s usually worth it (though I don’t think they’d turn down a raise). I do miss teaching students a little bit, but I am not willing to give up my work life balance and salary now to go back to academia. I really enjoy working my 6-8 hours a day and knowing I’m done with everything until tomorrow. I also love that I don’t have to worry about hospitalized patients, money, surgery outcomes, and all that as a pathologist, but that’s more of a specialty choice thing than a job perk. In clinical medicine you may not be able to shut off at the end of the day quite like I can as a pathologist.

 

[stressy.depressy]

@KCgophervet @JaynaAli Really appreciate both of these comments, thank you for the insight. The work-life balance issue is a great point - on the clinical side of things it seems like neuro is one of those specialties where you have things like on call hours either way, but then adding in things like lesson plans, grading, etc obviously wouldn’t happen in private practice.

My thinking right now (again, at least four years out from any sort of decision making, I know!) is that I could strike a good balance between teaching and pay by working at a private practice with robust, well-established internship and residency programs. I certainly think I’m more intrigued by mentorship than actual didactic teaching/lecturing.

 

[VIN-Foundation]

Neurologist in an academic teaching hospital here and happy to share my experince/thoughts.

When I finished my training (early 1990s) there were not many well-equipped private specialty hospitals. So that's why I went into academics. The reason I've stayed 30 years is because I realized how much I love teaching ... veterinary students and residents specifically.

Regarding salaries, I'm payed plenty but certainly not what I would get in private practice. Most of my residents are going into private practice at 2-3X my salary. As for lifestyle, that varies. Lately, a lot of private practice colleagues are working 4 day weeks with less call than I have. Realize that most private practice neurologists are paid on production, so that amount you work directly impacts your income. Academics is typically straight salary.

Research commitment varies a lot. At a few places, tenure-track faculty are expected to have a very productive research program (publications, grants) which can make it challenging for faculty with a heavy clinical load to be able to survive tenure/promotion. Our place is much more reasonable; tenure track is typically a 25% research allocation and clinical track is 0-10% scholarly activity.

Hope this helps and just let me know if you have more questions.