Mentoring future veterinarians

Recently, the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) was seeking veterinarians willing to share their time and enthusiasm with first and second year veterinary students. The CVM had an overwhelming amount of students who were looking for a mentor this year. Fifty-four mentors

This fall, a number of University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) alumni agreed to share their time and enthusiasm with first and second year veterinary students. However, an overwhelming amount of students signed up for mentors this academic year. Fifty-four mentors have committed to the program, and nine of the committed mentors  have agreed to take on more than one student. Sixty-two students are currently being mentored by alumni—a new record.

The goal of the mentor program is to provide a professional learning experience for students outside the classroom. Mentoring relationships provide opportunities for professional development, networking, and exchanging ideas.

“I signed up for the mentor program as a first year veterinary student because I was hoping to make connections with a local veterinarian,” says second year student Erika Wehmhoff. “When my second year started out really hard and continued to be very difficult, my mentor, Tara Kasmarik, ’15 DVM, and I agreed to participate in the program again. By sharing her experiences as a veterinary student and a veterinarian, and giving me the encouragement I needed, Kasmarik has played a critical role in my wellness as a student and my path to becoming a veterinarian. I am so glad that I was able to be paired with a veterinarian that I have grown to deeply respect and admire.”  

Upcoming mentorship events include the following:
January 14 – Volunteer opportunity at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan, Minn.
January 24 – Sip, draw, and paint night at the CVM Anatomy Museum
January 28 – Gopher women’s basketball home game vs. The Ohio State University
February 2 – Gopher women’s hockey home game vs. University of Minnesota, Duluth
February 16 – Gopher women’s hockey home game vs. Minnesota State University