Attending a general interest conference or workshop: 3 points Bailey Solomon

Bailey Solomon - Class of 2029 - Health Careers Town Hall

Event and Purpose?  The event that I attended was the Health Careers Town Hall Meeting on September 17, 2025.  The purpose of the town hall was to provide updates on the program as well as upcoming opportunities for students.  In addition, we were able to engage in open discussions about differences between the health careers program and health careers club, and discipline-based career-based field trips, among many other topics. 

What stood out to me?  I looked forward to attending this event, and I found it interesting to learn about the variety of student groups that surround health career support.  I learned that there are many opportunities to enrich ourselves through these groups, and that there is something for every health-related interest.  Some of the groups centered around nursing, pre-med, health careers in general, dental, and veterinary medicine.  I was pleased to learn about the pre-veterinary interest group, as this is my field of interest, and so far, my impression has been that pre-med and pre-nursing disciplines receive much of the programming and resources.  

How can I use this information to serve others?  I will use this information to serve others by joining the pre-veterinary interest group.  Being a part of this group will allow me to collaborate with others who share the same goals with where we can learn from each other and engage in potential volunteer or field opportunities.  Being in this shared community will also allow me to be mentored by professionals, engage in career and pre-veterinary school opportunities, and perhaps benefit from grad-school application preparation sessions as well.  The above activities will enable me to serve my community to perhaps assist with local animal shelter initiatives and outreach programs, as I prepare for my future.

What connections did you make to your future career?  Being a part of this community is very important to me because the presence of Black veterinarians in the Black community is crucial.  Yet, unfortunately, Black veterinarians are significantly underrepresented in the profession.  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), only about 2% of veterinarians in the United States are Black, and an even smaller percentage are Black women. 

Being a part of the pre-veterinary interest group is important because of the lack of representation of Black female veterinarians, which creates barriers for Black pet owners who may prefer a veterinarian who looks like them.  This is because Black female veterinarians may also help bridge the gap between pet care accessibility and owner trust.  Many Black pet owners may have experienced systemic barriers in healthcare, and having a veterinarian who understands their cultural background may foster a greater sense of comfort for them.  In addition, Black veterinarians may also ensure that Black pet owners, young and old, see themselves reflected in a profession where they have been historically underrepresented.

As I work toward becoming a veterinarian, I aim to not only provide excellent care for animals but also to serve as a role model for young Black girls interested in STEM careers.  By breaking barriers in the veterinary profession, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions, knowing that their contributions are valuable and necessary.