Your Dream Job Is at WVC Vegas 2026 (If You Know Where to Look)

Dr. Ashley Hopkins, Career Coach Vet, CEO of Hopper Vets and Vet Candy’s WVC Vegas Ambassador, reveals how to turn conference connections into career-changing opportunities

Let's be real: most veterinarians treat conferences like extended CE sessions with occasional happy hours. They attend lectures, browse the expo hall, maybe exchange a few business cards, and fly home with a tote bag full of branded pens and zero job prospects.

But what if you've been missing the biggest opportunity at WVC Vegas this entire time?

Dr. Ashley Hopkins has helped hundreds of veterinary professionals land their dream positions. And she's convinced that conferences like WVC Vegas are the most underutilized job-hunting tool in veterinary medicine.

"The veterinarians who are hiring? They're at WVC Vegas," Dr. Hopkins says. "The practice owners looking for associates? They're in the expo hall. The specialists building new teams? They're presenting sessions. Everyone you need to meet to find your next job is in one building for four days. The question is: are you actually going to talk to them?"

If you're ready to stop treating WVC Vegas like a vacation and start treating it like the career accelerator it actually is, Dr. Hopkins has a game plan for you.

Do Your Homework Before You Even Pack Your Bag

The biggest mistake job seekers make at conferences? Showing up without a plan and hoping opportunities magically appear.

"You need to know which companies, practices, and organizations you're targeting before you walk into that convention center," Dr. Hopkins emphasizes. "Download the exhibitor list. Research which practices have booths. Look up the speakers whose career paths interest you. Make a literal list of people you want to connect with."

She recommends identifying 10-15 potential employers or career paths you want to explore, then researching each one. What's their practice philosophy? What positions are they hiring for? What makes them different from other options?

"When you walk up to a booth and say, 'I've been following your practice's approach to fear-free handling, and I'd love to talk about associate opportunities,' you immediately stand out from the hundred other people asking 'So, what do you do?'" Dr. Hopkins notes.

The Expo Hall Is Your Job Fair (Treat It Like One)

Corporate practices, specialty hospitals, mobile clinics, telemedicine companies, relief vet platforms, and independent multi-site practices all have booths at WVC Vegas. This is not the time to be shy.

"Bring your resume," Dr. Hopkins advises. "I'm serious. Bring physical copies. Yes, you can email it later, but handing someone your resume in person shows you're prepared and serious about opportunities."

She also recommends having your 30-second introduction ready. Not a stiff elevator pitch, but a genuine, concise explanation of what you're looking for and what makes you a strong candidate.

"Practice it out loud before the conference," she suggests. "Something like: 'I'm a 2025 graduate looking for an associate position in small animal general practice where I can develop my surgery skills and work with a collaborative team. I'm especially interested in practices that prioritize mentorship for new graduates.' Clear, specific, and memorable."

And here's the key: don't just collect information. Schedule follow-up conversations. Ask if they have 15 minutes later in the conference to talk more in-depth. Get their direct email or phone number, not just a general company contact.

Target the Practices That Aren't Actively Recruiting

The companies with big flashy booths and "We're Hiring!" signs? They're already getting flooded with applications. Dr. Hopkins recommends a different strategy.

"Look for the smaller booths, the specialty practices, the mobile clinics, the organizations doing interesting work who might not be actively advertising positions," she says. "Those conversations can lead to opportunities that never get posted publicly."

She also suggests attending sessions presented by veterinarians whose practices or career paths interest you, then approaching them afterward with genuine questions about their work.

"When you show up to someone's lecture, engage with their content, and then ask thoughtful questions afterward, you've already demonstrated interest and initiative," Dr. Hopkins explains. "That's how you get invited to 'send me your resume' conversations that lead to actual job offers."

Be Strategic About What You're Asking For

Dr. Hopkins sees too many job seekers make the same mistake: they ask vague questions and get vague answers.

"Don't ask 'Are you hiring?'" she advises. "Ask specific questions that show you've thought about what you want: 'What does mentorship look like for new associates at your practice?' or 'How do you support professional development and CE for your team?' or 'What's your approach to work-life balance and scheduling flexibility?'"

These questions do two things: they give you the information you actually need to evaluate whether this job is right for you, and they signal to employers that you're thoughtful and intentional about your career.

She also recommends being honest about what you're looking for, even if it feels vulnerable.

"If you're burned out from ER work and need a slower-paced general practice, say that," Dr. Hopkins encourages. "If you're looking for a practice that will support you through maternity leave in two years, bring it up. The right employer will appreciate your honesty. The wrong employer will filter themselves out. Either way, you win."

Leverage the Social Events (Yes, Really)

The official conference mixers, the industry-hosted dinners, the sponsor happy hours? Those aren't just free drinks. They're unstructured time with decision-makers who are more relaxed and approachable than they are in the expo hall.

"Some people have landed job offers at conference social events because they had a genuine conversation with a practice owner over appetizers," Dr. Hopkins says. "These settings let you show your personality and cultural fit in ways that a formal booth conversation doesn't."

Her advice: don't talk about work the entire time. Build rapport first. Ask about their experience at the conference, what sessions they found valuable, what they're excited about in veterinary medicine right now. Let the conversation flow naturally.

"When someone likes you as a person, they're more likely to think 'I want this human on my team,'" she notes. "That's what happens at social events that doesn't happen in transactional booth interactions."

Make Your Online Presence Work for You

Before anyone offers you a job, they're going to Google you. Dr. Hopkins recommends making sure your online presence supports your job search, not undermines it.

"Clean up your LinkedIn," she advises. "Make sure it accurately reflects your skills, experience, and what you're looking for. If you have an Instagram where you share professional content, include that handle when you introduce yourself. Make it easy for people to learn more about you after they meet you."

She also suggests posting about attending WVC Vegas on your professional social media before and during the conference.

"Tag the conference, share what sessions you're excited about, post about conversations you found valuable," Dr. Hopkins recommends. "You never know who's watching. I've had clients get job offers from posts they made at conferences because the right person saw them at the right time."

Follow Up Like Your Dream Job Depends on It (Because It Does)

This is where most job seekers fail. They have great conversations at the conference, collect business cards, and then never follow up.

"Within 48 hours of the conference ending, you need to email every single person who expressed interest in you as a candidate," Dr. Hopkins emphasizes. "Reference your conversation specifically. Reiterate your interest. Attach your resume and cover letter. Suggest a specific next step, like a phone call or practice visit."

Her template: "Hi [Name], it was great meeting you at the [Company] booth at WVC Vegas. I really appreciated learning about your practice's approach to [specific thing you discussed]. I'm very interested in exploring associate opportunities with your team. I've attached my resume and would love to schedule a call to discuss next steps. Are you available [specific date/time options]?"

"Specific, professional, and action-oriented," Dr. Hopkins notes. "That's what gets responses."

She also recommends following up multiple times if you don't hear back. Not in a pushy way, but in a persistent, professional way.

"Veterinarians are busy. They come back from conferences to 200 emails and a full surgery schedule. If you don't hear back in a week, send a polite follow-up. If you're genuinely interested, show it through your follow-through."

Know Your Worth (And Don't Settle for Less)

Dr. Hopkins's final piece of advice might be the most important: just because a practice is hiring doesn't mean you should take the job.

"WVC Vegas gives you the opportunity to meet multiple potential employers and compare opportunities," she says. "Use that to your advantage. Don't accept the first offer out of desperation. Make sure the practice aligns with your values, supports your professional growth, and offers fair compensation."

She recommends asking about mentorship structures, CE budgets, schedule flexibility, partnership opportunities, and how the practice supports work-life balance.

"Your dream job isn't just about the medicine," Dr. Hopkins notes. "It's about the team, the culture, the growth opportunities, and whether you can see yourself thriving there long-term. WVC Vegas lets you have those conversations before you commit to anything."

The Bottom Line

WVC Vegas 2026 isn't just a conference. It's four days of unparalleled access to the people who can hire you, the practices that are looking for someone exactly like you, and the career paths you didn't even know existed.

But none of that matters if you don't show up with a plan, do the work to make connections, and follow through afterward.

Your dream job is at WVC Vegas. The question is: are you ready to go find it?

And don't forget to follow @myvetcandy for meetup details and real-time conference coverage.