YVN representative: David Mills
David is the junior recent graduate YVN representative
Find out why David wanted to be a YVN rep 
My position in a genuinely mixed practice in the Lake District has afforded unique insight into the problems, challenges and stressors facing newly/recently qualified vets in their first jobs; this insight applies to both the sides of clinical – I am acutely aware after two years in the same practice of the various challenges set by companion, farm and equine areas – and personal, of living in an area often remote from family and established friends. Being at a supportive practice in an outstanding area, I can relate to veterinary and pastime joy –talk of challenges can subsume such. From the difficulties of euthanasing tortoises to the trials of CertAVP, I believe my experience extends beyond my modest years.
I consider myself a very social person, outgoing and happy speaking about anything from boy bands to bovids. I have several close friends in the profession, and find discussions about work aspects incredibly helpful; several friends have moved jobs and I hope they found me a useful sounding board. whilst recent graduates must inevitably personally find their way, realising the commonality of certain experiences by sharing is very comforting.
Personal skills relevant to the role comprise the ability to work equally effectively whether as part, or in the leadership of, a team, or alone. Having been an avid footballer since being able to toddle, I have captained several teams, the most recent the 1st XI at Cambridge University, a role composed of both interpersonal relationship management but also logistical tasks, sponsorship seeking, sports committee involvement. I consider my communication to be strong. My easy-going nature I hope makes me very approachable and fairly unflappable, whilst not impinging on ambition or innovation; during my elective studying beef cattle welfare in Kenya, I researched and arranged all logistics and funding of the project alone, and a testament to my written communication resides in my winning of the prize for the best report, as a BVA Travel Grant recipient, and my florid activity in the student press a few years ago.
I think increasing traffic through the YVN discussion forum would be attainable by a change in approach to discussion topics Many threads on this, and the members discussion forum, detail points of veterinary politics, business, and a smattering of ethics. In my experience newly qualified vets devote little time to consideration of these areas, so great is the worry about what might be wrong with Mrs Jones’ cat. Far more likely to elicit response would be clinical reportage, much as in that found on sites such as VIN – not necessarily to be told ‘what to do and when’ but rather to see if one is doing roughly the same as everyone else (much as the PDP aims to do in a generalised context) and if there are any insights into cases; something more along the lines of ‘how do you approach a downer cow?’ as opposed to ‘BVA Council issues – your thoughts’ Allied to this I believe there is a requirement for a weekly/biweekly YVN email newsletter detailing issues of particular interest to newly qualified members, and a run-down of current discussion on the forum; I am aware this happens in the VR to some extent but email can be better targeting. Furthermore, YVN during BVA registration should be opt-out rather than in; regional YVNs need to be developed and coordinated; young facilitators need to be trained (I did express my interest a few months ago, but no news on training as yet) as they are more likely to both draw people to, and know people want from, the meetings.