Graduate Mentoring Program 2022 - mentor applications now open

_{Image: current mentor Dr Geeta Saini}

Transitioning from being a veterinary student to a fully-fledged veterinarian can be a highly daunting prospect. Most of us still remember the heart-pounding anxiety of facing the first surgery, euthanasia or complex medical case we ever had to tackle on our own. Additionally, adapting to professional life – managing bosses, colleagues, clients, financial and career decisions – can take some getting used to.

This is why, for new graduates, having mentors who have previously trodden those paths is invaluable. Founded in 2015, the AVA Graduate Mentoring program seeks to connect new graduate veterinarians with more experienced colleagues, the latter providing much-needed support, wisdom and guidance for new grads transitioning into the profession.

The program is structured over a 12-month period. Mentors are matched with mentees to provide one-on-one advice on career decisions, professional development and overcoming the challenges of being a vet. Two cohorts are run per year:

• Cohort 1: graduands of all universities except CSU – runs from 1 October to 30September each year
• Cohort 2: graduands of CSU – runs 1July to 30 June each year

Most mentors sign up as a way to contribute to the profession. “I've become a mentor to give back to our wonderful veterinary community and help share my love for our profession,” says 2015 mentee and current mentor Dr Kara Altman. “I want to share my experience of some of the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us.”

Mentors often find the process just as rewarding as the mentees themselves. There is value in helping others and forging connections. Additionally, providing mentorship helps mentors develop their teaching and leadership skills. AVA mentor Dr Haidee Gray says, “This program is such a valuable resource. The training info provided is excellent.”

Many mentor/mentee relationships turn into lifelong friendships. No one understands the highs and lows of being a vet quite like another vet. Mentor Dr Geeta Saini sums it up nicely: “We all have self-doubt, and have times when we feel what we do is unappreciated and undervalued,” she says. “Offering to mentor the next generation can be a way to pass on some experience and be a non-judgemental sounding board.”

Applications are currently open until mid-September for mentors who are interested in mentoring new graduates from our upcoming cohort beginning 1 October. In particular, we’d love to see more mentor applications from Tasmania, the Northern Territory and those from the Unusual Pet and Avian Veterinarians (UPAV) SIG.

For more information, please click here, or contact Ellen Simpson or Monika Cole.

The AVA also wishes to thank the sponsors of the AVA Graduate Mentoring Program.