How do you use your strengths in your job?
Since animals cannot speak, I need to listen carefully to what their
owners tell me. I also need to look
and listen to what the animal is "saying" in its own way. I need
to be flexible because sometimes what I
think is the best plan or treatment for an animal, may not always
be what the owner was thinking or
what they can reasonably afford.
What was your biggest learning challenge in school?
I was a good student in school, but I had to work hard
to succeed. There were always those students
who breezed through and barely had to study to get good
grades. That wasn't me. I always had to
study hard. I think it was far easier for me to make the
transition from school to work as a result. Doing
your job well in the "real world" requires hard work, commitment
and attention to detail, no matter what
you do. Plus, it also makes me appreciate even more what
I have accomplished, because I know how
hard I had to work for it.
What motivates you to go to work?
I feel very lucky, because I love my job, and I know that not everyone
can say that. Every day is
different, and that is exciting. When I walk through the door in
the morning, I never know what I will see
or accomplish by the end of the day. Of course, I love to work
with animals, but I also enjoy interacting
with the people I meet every day, many of whom I have known since
I was very young. Plus,
encountering challenges keeps things fresh.
Every job has specific skills. What do you need in yours?
I need compassion, effective communication skills and most importantly,
the ability to relate well to
people. Most veterinarians have excellent technical skills; in
some ways, that is the easy part. Without
compassion and strong people skills, however, I couldn't be successful
in my job in the long run. |
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