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Image of Jan demonstrating an ultrasound on a dog.

Mentoring the next generation of vets: Jan’s Journey

Posting date: 14/11/25

At Medivet, we believe every team member's journey is worth celebrating. We're dedicated to recognising the incredible progress and inspiring careers of our professionals. We share these stories to inspire you, the next generation of veterinary professionals, and anyone looking for a little career inspiration.

Today, we caught up with one of our Graduate Mentors, Jan De La Rey, to get insight into his motivating veterinary journey.

Before Jan tells his story, the following resources can help you learn more about Medivet careers if you’re curious:

The start of Jan’s journey

One of my favourite outings as a small child was a visit to the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria, where I grew up. 

The museum had a large collection of animal skeletons and taxidermy specimens, and I could spend hours looking at these. As I grew up and learned more about different professions, veterinary medicine stood out as a great way to combine my love for science, animals, and medicine into a career. 

I qualified from the University of Pretoria in 2004, and I spent the majority of my early career in a small animal first opinion practice. 

Later on, in more senior roles, I started taking on the responsibility of mentoring new graduate vets, which I found very rewarding. 

Joining Medivet

The opportunity to work as a vet in a role that is different from the day-to-day clinical work in practice was what drew me to Medivet. I joined Medivet in 2018, and my first role was non-clinical as a Regional Director. 

When Medivet introduced the Graduate Support Mentor role in 2022, I was fortunate enough to be offered one of the positions.

Reflecting back

Everything gets easier the more experience you have. 

Experience helps you develop clinical intuition — the ability to recognise subtle patterns, make sound judgments under pressure, and adapt treatment plans to each unique case. 

Experience also deepens empathy and communication skills, helping vets build trust with clients and handle sensitive situations with professionalism.

Q&A with Jan: The Medivet Graduate Development Programme

Building on our conversation with Jan about his own professional path, we dedicated time to exploring the Medivet Graduate Development Programme. 

The Q&A below is designed to give you a clear understanding of the programme's structure and expectations. This information is key for both mentors supporting our graduates and individuals considering joining the GDP.

What makes the Medivet Graduate Development Programme unique from other graduate schemes in the veterinary industry?

  • The Medivet Graduate Development Programme is a 12-month programme compared to many of the other programmes, which are 2 years.
  • We offer multiple start dates throughout the year, and our cohorts are smaller with a maximum of 12 graduates per cohort.

How does the Medivet Graduate Programme prepare new vets for lifelong learning and career progression? 

The Medivet Graduate Vet Programme is designed not just to help new vets make the transition from university to practice in a supportive way, but also to instil the habits and mindset of lifelong learners.

It provides a structured foundation for CPD, and Graduates attend regular clinical and non-clinical training days that build confidence in key skills, while encouraging curiosity and evidence-based decision-making. Alongside completing their RCVS VetGDVP portfolio, engaging with CPD early in their careers, new vets learn how to integrate ongoing learning into their daily practice. 

What are some of the career paths that a vet can take after completing the graduate program? 

  • They can continue working as a vet
  • They can start further studies towards a certificate once their VetGDP portfolio is completed
  • They can take the next step in their career to become partners, lead vets, or even move into support centre roles like divisional veterinary directors or become graduate support mentors themselves and support the future veterinary professionals. 

Advice for aspiring vets

What personal qualities and skills do you believe are essential for a new graduate to succeed in the Medivet Graduate Vet Programme? 

  • Being proactive, adaptable, and able to take ownership of their professional development.
  • Contributing positively to the practice team.
  • Enthusiasm for continuous learning.
  • Active engagement with mentoring and graduate development opportunities.

The Medivet Difference

Jan's journey is a fantastic example of the diverse and fulfilling careers available within Medivet. His story shows that being a vet is about more than just clinical work; it's also about continuous learning, mentorship, and finding new ways to apply your skills.

If this sounds like the perfect next step in your own career, make sure to browse the following:

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