Launching Your General Practice Career: Internship vs. GP with Mentorshipa
a RVG Panel Discussion
Prefer to join us live? Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with experts in real-time on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 8 PM EST! Gain valuable insights, ask questions, and walk away with actionable strategies to enhance your veterinary practice. Secure your spot now!
RVG Panel Discussion
Launching Your General Practice Career: Internship vs. GP with Mentorship
Choosing your first veterinary job is a big decision. In this on-demand RVG Panel Discussion, you'll hear candid insights from veterinarians on the pros and cons of internships versus general practice with mentorship. Learn about case exposure, mentorship, skill development, and how to assess your personal priorities like finances and lifestyle. This discussion is perfect for vet students and early-career veterinarians looking to make an informed, confident decision about their future.
What You'll Take Away From This Lecture:
01
Compare Internship vs. GP Pathways
Explore the key differences in case exposure, supervision, and skill development to help determine the best fit for your first job.
02
Explore Mentorship Models
Learn how mentorship can enhance your professional growth, whether you pursue an internship or jump into general practice.
03
Assess Your Priorities
Consider your personal goals, including finances, lifestyle, and learning needs, to make an informed decision for your career.
04
Develop Key Interview Questions
Gain insight into what to ask when interviewing practices or internship programs to find the best career path for you.
Meet the Panel
John Haburjak, DVM, DACVS
Dr. John Haburjak graduated from UC Davis Veterinary School in 1993. He practiced for 5 years in and around the SF Bay Area before completing a combined surgical residency program in San Diego and the University of Illinois.
Dr. Haburjak is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons his clinical surgical interests include surgical oncologic procedures of the face, head and neck, corrective orthopedic procedures, and disorders of the canine stifle. Finally, he has dedicated most of his post-graduate emphasis on minimally invasive procedures including: laparoscopy, thoracoscopy and interventional radiology (urethral and tracheal stenting).
Dr. Haburjak’s hobbies include singles tennis, Oakland A’s baseball, discovering the Tahoe basin with his kids and cooking (not to mention eating, too!). He shares his life with his wife, Aimee (a veterinarian pathologist), daughters Eva & Emery and sons Ian & Isaac – along with Lady Addison (bubble-headed Japanese spaniel), Poppy (a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a freckled nose!), Pixie (mutant Chihuahua) – some Guinea Pigs and a Cat named Ginger Cookie.
Sydney Pokard, DVM
Dr. Sydney Pokard is a small animal and exotics veterinarian practicing in Southern California. After graduating from WesternU in 2016, she went straight into private practice working with small animals, exotics, and wildlife, as well as joining the team at two local zoos. After almost 6 years at the practice, Dr. Sydney decided to venture out on her own providing relief veterinary services to exotic animal hospitals and ER´s around the area, and wildlife rehabilitation centers internationally. Dr. Sydney is currently working on her board certification (ABVP) in exotic companion mammals and just transitioned to practice ownership, opening her first start-up small animal/exotics practice in June 2024.