Final Graduation Speech

It is with a heavy heart that we are leaving Bel-Rea and Colorado for new adventures in Davis, California.  I thought I would post my final graduation speech and final act as an instructor at Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology.

Graduation speech 6/18/18

Today we have a truly shared moment in more than one sense.  We share the large event of graduation from Bel-Rea, but we also share the moment of being on the precipice of an entirely new career. You are about to embark on a career as a professional, it may not feel like it, but you have a truly specialized knowledge not shared by most people.  

This moment is important to me because it is the last time I stand before you as your instructor and it is also my last act as an instructor at Bel-Rea and like you, I’m about to embark on a new journey and career.  

After working as a veterinary technician for over 17 years, I reflected on what brought me to this point, which could not have happened without Bel-Rea. I  would like to impart the following advice for a successful and happy career:

Always treat each other with the professionalism that you deserve.  In New York, we had a name for veterinarians that came out of Pennsylvania, which was Pennwe’s.  That is because most veterinary interns from University of Pennsylvania would usually start most of their sentences with, “at Penn, we…”.  Now, it is important to understand that the University of Pennsylvania is one of the leading veterinary schools in the country, but it doesn’t mean that their way is the only way.  It is important to understand that there are many ways to do procedures and practice medicine, before you make any judgments of others, think about what you are really trying to accomplish and if the practitioner is reaching those goals albeit differently. What separates you from someone who claims to be a tech without going to school is your education.  You should understand the underlying principles of what you are trying to accomplish and may have a deeper understanding of the theory of practice instead of just the practice.   Keep an open mind about your colleagues and remember that derision has no place amongst each other, we should only be focused on improving our patients and ourselves, if you need to succeed by insulting others, then you don’t deserve that success.  Compassion fatigue, stress, and depression are receiving a lot of attention in our field, but it comes down to one big question, do you want to go to work? Make that a resounding yes for yourself and all of your coworkers by treating each other with respect.  Reach out to other technicians in your hospital and beyond to collaborate on projects, ideas, or even getting your VTS.

Continue asking questions and learning.  The minute you stop taking an interest in what you are doing is when you should stop doing it.  Improving your craft by staying current, researching, asking questions of colleagues and superiors is what keeps you loving your profession.  Ask a question, research it, and share your knowledge by speaking to others or better yet, publishing.

Always take the job no one wants.  I’ve found the greatest job satisfaction taking the job no one wants and making it my own.  This is where you can really flourish and eventually specialize.  Just because an opportunity doesn’t seem to be what you want, take it, because you may very well enjoy it more.   A very small amount of people actually end up doing exactly what they planned on doing, you can fight it or embrace it, I suggest you embrace it.  

Finally two mantras I want you to start incorporating in your daily life:

“Do something that scares you everyday”,  this is a quote that became popular in the ‘90s by Mary Schmich and attribution runs from Eleanor Roosevelt to Emerson, but I find it is an axiom. Embrace the opportunities, no matter how terrifying, when they present themselves.  It will keep you engaged and excited in your career.

“Change your mind everyday” , Mark Rice Oxley of the Guardian started an article with this title, Change your mind, it’s a sign of strength, not weakness. Winston Churchill said it best when confronted on changing his position in office, “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, madam?” Don’t doggedly hold on to ideas that you are told are correct, find the evidence behind the idea, and if the evidence is different, discard the erroneous idea, not the evidence.

I wish you all luck in your future endeavors and hope you will all succeed in your field. Always aim high because the trajectory can never be bad.  Congratulations Spring class of 2018, it has been a privilege to have been part of your education and to now be able to call you colleague.