In this episode, Dr. Moriah McCauley reconnects with Dr. Kate Boatright for a candid look at how mentorship shapes veterinary careers—for better or worse. Kate opens up about her early years in practice, comparing a supportive first clinic to a second job that nearly broke her confidence.

She shares how one life-saving emergency case helped her turn the corner, and how those experiences now fuel her mission to help others build better mentorship programs. 

Whether you're a new grad vet or someone who’s survived a rough start, this episode is packed with honest, practical wisdom on what makes mentorship work—and what happens when it doesn’t.

Episode Outline

[00:00] Starting Strong: What Great Mentorship Looked Like

[04:26] Early Wins and Scheduling Challenges

[08:07] When Culture Supports Growth

[12:25] The Second Practice: Promises vs. Reality

[18:04] The Review That Changed Everything

[23:03] Finding Support Again

[24:04] A Turning Point

[28:33] Learning to Lead and Mentor

[34:03] Turning Hard Lessons into Lectures

[35:48] Key Interview Questions for Vet Job Seekers

Episode Links

See more from Dr. Kate Boatright:

https://www.instagram.com/writetheboat/ 

Connect with Dr. Kate Boatright:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateboatrightvmd/

Mentioned in this episode:

So You're a Vet, Now What? - The Course

Are you a new or recent veterinary graduate? If so, Dr. Dave’s course, ‘So You’re a Vet… Now What?’ has been put together specifically for you. The course focuses on non-clinical skills. This is not as dull as it sounds. In fact, almost every career problem that people face is due to not having well-developed, non-clinical skills.

These are skills like client communication, so you have great relationships with clients. Emotional intelligence, so you've got great relationships with your teammates. Effective negotiation skills, so you can get paid what you are worth. Management of imposter syndrome, so you can have confidence in your abilities. And, how to build formidable resilience, so you can handle everything that comes your way.

These are not just skills. They are prerequisites vital for success and financial and emotional wellbeing.

This course serves as an essential stepping stone to your success. Dr. Dave will be your mentor as you go through 12-modules, helping you transition from being a student to a fully rounded veterinary professional.

Visit www.drdavenicol.com/syav-class to learn more.