The AVA Graduate Mentoring Program: A call to veterinarians

Designed to guide new veterinarians through their initial years in practice, the AVA Graduate Mentoring Program not only offers invaluable support to fresh graduates, but also provides seasoned veterinarians with an opportunity to give back to the profession.

As mentor Dr Suff Suharju says, “The mentoring program helps highlight another great aspect of being a veterinarian. It provides vets from vastly different streams or geography, to connect with each other and find comfort in the fact that we all go through the same trials, heartaches and successes."

^{Dr Suff Suharju, mentor with the AVA Graduate Mentoring Program}

Mentors are now being recruited for the September 2024 – August 2025 cohort of graduates.  

Why become a mentor?

The ability to support young veterinarians to develop and sustain a satisfying career is an extremely rewarding opportunity. Mixed practice vet and program mentor Dr Louisa Poutsma agrees, saying “I love being a part of the mentoring program and watching our new colleagues grow and blossom. It is a great experience and a way to feel a part of this community.”

^{Dr Louisa Poutsma, mentor with the AVA Graduate Mentoring Program}

Benefits for mentors

For the mentor, the opportunity allows for guidance in personal and professional development while reflecting on professional challenges and achievements. Additionally, it offers satisfaction from helping others, contributing to the future success of the veterinary profession, and developing your mentoring and leadership skills.

The 12-month program is structured, and first-time mentors are supported through the Art of Mentoring online training program to prepare for the mentoring relationship.

Some areas that mentors may assist with include:

• Support transition into the veterinary profession
• Act as a source of information and insight
• Suggest relevant options regarding career development or strategies for achieving professional goals
• Recommend possible resources to improve specific skills
• Help the mentee solve professional challenges in their working life
• Discuss issues of professional ethics
• Discuss workplace related issues and options for how these may be addressed

How to apply

To become a mentor, you must have at least three years’ experience in the profession, and be an AVA member. Mentors will be asked to complete a short application form to assess their eligibility for the program.

Find out more, including how to apply here. Mentor applications close 1 August 2024.

“I would recommend the AVA Mentoring Program to everyone, whether they are future mentees or wanting to become a mentor. It is a really important part of improving the transition to practice experience.” – Dr John Anstee

^{Dr John Anstee, mentor with the AVA Graduate Mentoring Program}