3 Stages of Every Veterinary Career - How to succeed in them all

Veterinary education, leadership, Muppets, & anesthesia all in one episode. In this episode of Vet Life Reimagined, Dr. Kate Bailey—veterinary anesthesiologist, educator, and positive leadership advocate—joins host, Dr. Megan Sprinkle, for a deep and refreshing conversation about career evolution in vet med. Kate shares the winding, very human path of her professional success.

We talk about the three major stages of a veterinary career, why fear can be a compass, how to build confidence in a high-stakes field like anesthesia, and why having a supportive community is key to career happiness and sustainability—no matter where you are in your journey.

**⏱️ Episode Chapters** 
00:00 Intro 
02:00 Kate’s path into vet med 
06:30 Fear of anesthesia—and how she leaned in 
10:45 Vet school vs. the real world 
16:00 Why she fell in love with teaching 
21:00 The 3 Stages of a Veterinary Career 
30:00 Leadership, education & adult learning 
38:00 The importance of community in vet med 
43:00 Finding purpose—and redefining success 
48:00 What’s next for Dr. Kate Bailey 
49:00 Final thoughts & gratitude 

Resources:
Episode on YouTube

**📢 Mentioned in the Episode:** 
- North American Veterinary Anesthesia Society (NAVAS)
- Zoetis REVAMP Program
- Book: *Lead to Thrive* by Josh Vaisman 
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**🎙️ About Vet Life Reimagined**  
This podcast explores the many paths veterinary professionals take—and how to build a meaningful, sustainable career in vet med. Whether you're a student, seasoned DVM, or someone who loves animals and innovation, you're in the right place.