b'EMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE, ACHIEVE AND LEAD TOGETHEREMPOWERED TO INSPIRE,VETERINARY WOMAN CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGEACHIEVE & LEAD TOGETHERsurrounded by such diversity growing up, it was when I started to think about becoming a vet that I realised access to advice, Diversity isnt just a personal value; itsresources, and positive role models was lacking for someone something essential for the future of ourlike me. At university, this lack of representation and community became even more apparent. I wanted to find others who felt profession. The wealth of perspectives, ideas,the same and, more importantly, change things for those who and lived experiences can breathe life into newwould come after me.ways of thinking that will drive us forward. I have been able to experience how amazing being a vet is, and I want anyone to have that opportunity. Knowing that someone, somewhere, will feel a little less alone or a little more inspired engagement and a growing number of requests, the team hasbecause of the work were doing is all the motivation I need. worked with tens of thousands of students. In the last academicWhat are the biggest challenges you have encountered year alone, we reached more than 4,500 students across 20in this journey and how have you overcome them? schools and 45 events. To include as many young people asAs amazing as it is to see the impact of the initiatives Ive possible, we have also expanded the range of ages we workbeen working on, it can be equally disheartening to see new with, all the way from Nursery to Year 13. This has meant that Ibarriers arise or old issues resurface despite all your efforts. have even run into current vet students who I met at an AnimalEspecially as a student, it can sometimes be easy for your voice Aspirations workshop when they were still in school! to feel insignificant when surrounded by others with years of What motivated you to want to change things?experience and in a profession so much larger than you. Being of mixed South/Southeast Asian heritage is something IBut I think this is an inherent part of driving positive change. will always be proud of, but it has also made my journey to theIts not always going to be linear, and accepting this fact is what veterinary profession more challenging. While I was lucky to bemotivates me to continue doing it for as long as I can. There is always scope for improvement and new problems that need to be addressed. Seeing the difference it makes first-hand and knowing how much I would have appreciated something like this growing up makes it all worth it. What is the best advice youve been given, or thatyou would give to someone else, about drivingpositive change? Being a change-maker means embracing both the highs and lows of the journey. Frustratingly, change doesnt happen overnightbut a slow and steady effort is far better than inaction. If youre passionate about something, run with it. No matter how alone you feel in taking the initiative, youll find others who share your dedication, and together, youll make an impact. Change perpetuates change, and it all starts withone step!www.veterinarywoman.co.uk 21'