Campus Connection: Response from Dr. Carling Matejka

While veterinary students generally enter their studies with a clear vision of the profession and the determination to achieve their academic and professional goals, they also encounter some eye-opening realities, some positive and some negative.
So, with that in mind here is the question our panel of veterinary students and recent DVM graduates address this month:
What aspect(s) of veterinary practice has surprised you most, either positively or negatively, as you learn more about your career choice?
Response from Dr. Carling Matejka, 2018 graduate, University of Calgary
Over my last nine months of being a veterinarian I have come to realize just how mentally and physically demanding the job can be. I was expecting practice to require quite a bit of physical strength but I am surprised how mentally exhausted I am at the end of the day. It definitely has taken some time to get use to but each day it gets a little bit easier. I am also surprised about how much time I spend talking on the phone or consulting with clients in the office rather than being out on the farm. What hasn’t surprised me is how much I enjoy having the opportunity to work with producers every day!
Read previous responses from our panel of students and recent graduates:
Response from Dr. Kristy Shaw, 2018 graduate, Ohio State University
Response from Jennifer Lantzer, North Carolina State University