So, You Want to Be a Veterinarian?

Angelina Barker
  • 5.0 (3)
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Listen in on "So You Want to Be a Veterinarian?" to learn about diverse topics, from vet school tips to unexplored pathways to controversial issues in veterinary medicine. I'm your host, Angie, a pre-vet student at Clemson University, aiming to shed some light on the field's many facets and what you might not know you can do with your DVM. Hear a plethora of opinions from interviews with peers, colleagues, and professionals within the booming industry and related professions to find your true passion and dream job.

  1. Mar 1

    Episode 12 - Doing it All (practicing, teaching, athletics) With Dr. Heather Gleaton, DVM

    Join me and professor at Clemson University, Dr. Heather Gleaton, DVM, today to hear all about her experience from vet school to practicing to owning a clinic to teaching at Clemson. And doing a little American Ninja Warrior along the way. Yes you read that right. Dr. Gleaton opens up about her experiences of owning a clinic and taking on new roles constantly, while being an advocate for mental health always. Becoming a black belt in taekwondo and a national-level gymnastics judge are just some of the amazing things Dr. Gleaton has been able to accomplish while also serving on numerous committees and keeping her practice successful. Interested in owning your own clinic, teaching the next generation of veterinarians, or how to juggle everything and anything at once, this is an episode for you. Don’t forget to follow along on Instagram @the_future_dr_barker Thank you for listening, Angie

  2. 10/31/2025

    Episode 11 - So, You Want to Be an Administrative Veterinarian? With Dr. Nicki Wise, DVM, Ph.D

    Listen in on today’s episode to hear from Dr. Nicki Wise, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine, the first vet school in South Carolina. Dr. Wise is different from any veterinarian brought on the show since she is on the administrative side of the DVM, though still helping animals and humans every day. Although she is no longer practicing medicine, Dr. Wise touches on her career as a board certified equine internal medicine veterinarian. Not only do we talk about her career and everything she has accomplished, but the brand new vet school and exciting news it brings. Join me to learn all about Dr. Wise’s journey, advice she has for students, and about what PCVM has to offer. Thanks for listening! Angie Follow me on instagram @the_future_dr_barker podscan_1tpynLWOOFSATbwlw9FDkV0dFT4HhZ3M

  3. 09/29/2025

    Episode 10 - So, You Want to Be a Mixed Animal Veterinarian? With Dr. Mahesh Bhatt, DVM PART TWO

    PART TWO with Dr. Mahesh Bhatt, calling in all the way from the UK. In this episode, we discuss matters more associated with his wildlife and conservation work like what we can be doing to help and harm conservation efforts, what Mahesh is doing for these animals, and getting into the nitty gritty of what it means to be in a conservation role. If you want to be a wildlife veterinarian, work in rehabilitation or conservation efforts, or just love animals and want to know what role conservation plays, this is an episode for you! And don’t forget to follow me on instagram @the_future_dr_barker Thank you for all of your support and listening! - Angie

  4. 09/01/2025

    Episode 09 - So, You Want to Be a Wildlife Veterinarian? With Dr. Anahi Hidalgo, DVM

    A new episode is out now! This is the third episode of the “So, You Want to Be” series, where I interview veterinary professionals to dig deep into their lives and how they got into the places they are today. Today, with Dr. Anahi Hidalgo, we cover topics like vet school in Ecuador, why she chose to become as wildlife vet, and working around the world, notably at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia and Somaliland. Listen in if you want to hear about her story and how she’s inspiring others daily. If you want to hear from more veterinarians or vet and pre-vet students, follow along wherever you listen to your podcasts. And don’t forget to follow me on instagram @the_future_dr_barker for more updates on my pre-vet life and the podcast. Happy listening, Angie

  5. 07/28/2025

    Episode 08 - So, You Want to Be a Mixed Animal Veterinarian? With Dr. Mahesh Bhatt, DVM PART ONE

    Welcome back to the second episode of the “So You Want to Be” Series! In today’s episode, Dr. Mahesh Bhatt and I cover an array of topics including vet school in the UK, getting started in the competitive wildlife field, switching between small animal and wildlife practice, conditions in the field, and more. Listen to hear about Mahesh’s vivid and impactful experiences as a wildlife vet, all of the places his career has taken him, and even an escaped jaguar story. Thank you for your support! And don’t forget to come back for part two in two months - Angie

  6. 06/01/2025

    Episode 07 - So, You Want to Be an Emergency Veterinarian? With Dr. Hailey Siegel, VMD

    Welcome back! I am so excited to introduce our first series on the podcast: the So, You Want to Be Series. This series will follow an abundance of professionals in differing perspectives and careers in the veterinary and animal science field. The purpose of this series is to introduce a broad range of professions you may not have heard of yet or are unaware of what they really do behind the scenes. Stay tuned for more episodes coming up! This week we interviewed Dr. Hailey Siegel, VMD, an emergency vet in Charleston, SC that works at Charleston Veterinary Referral Center and is so passionate about her job that she joined us to tell the behind the scenes scoop in what she does at a specialty hospital. From her experience growing up with animals to vet school at University of Pennsylvania to her mentorship program as an emergency vet, Dr. Siegel takes us through it all. Hear about the differences in emergency and general practice medicine and what aspects lured her to the field. We also cover topics like the importance of pet insurance and what to look out for on pet insurance, as well as some of the common and treatable things seen often in the hospital. Thank you for listening and don’t forget to follow along on instagram @the_future_dr_barker - Angie

  7. 04/20/2025

    Episode 06 - Exploring Wildlife Careers Through WildlifeHealth.org, courtesy of Dr. Kneeland, DVM

    Welcome back to another episode of So, You Want to Be a Veterinarian? Today, I decided to do something a little different and go through one of my favorite resources for veterinary careers, WildlifeHealth.org This is a platform published by Dr. Michelle Kneeland, DVM. A wildlife veterinarian who has created this amazing resource for students, professionals, and prospective wildlife lovers. I found her website when I was scouring the internet for good information on what wildlife vets do and I haven’t looked back. Through this episode, I will read through two of her articles under her “For Students” Section including “Wildlife Health Careers - A Guide for Students” and “Becoming a Wildlife Veterinarian” which look at the basics of what different wildlife vets do, what you need to do to get these jobs, how many wildlife vets are in the US, and much more. Join me today to hear all about the amazing field of wildlife, not just for future vets but biologists and rehabiliators too! Thank you for listening - Angie Sources for today’s episode: Wildlifehealth.org/becoming-a-wildlife-veterinarian/ Wildlifehealth.org/wildlife-health-careers/

  8. 03/31/2025

    Episode 05 - All About Cheetahs With Lexington Lesser

    A collaboration episode all about my favorite animal, the cheetah, with another pre-vet student, Lexington Lesser. Lexington and I went to South Africa over the summer for a study abroad. This study abroad was based mostly on cheetahs, so we learned a lot on the trip. Cheetahs are a vulnerable species living across the continent of Africa and small groups in Asia. Join us today to learn more about cheetahs, why they need our help, and what we can do to help them. Thank you for listening! Follow along @the_future_dr_barker on instagram! - Angie

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Listen in on "So You Want to Be a Veterinarian?" to learn about diverse topics, from vet school tips to unexplored pathways to controversial issues in veterinary medicine. I'm your host, Angie, a pre-vet student at Clemson University, aiming to shed some light on the field's many facets and what you might not know you can do with your DVM. Hear a plethora of opinions from interviews with peers, colleagues, and professionals within the booming industry and related professions to find your true passion and dream job.

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