Emma Tcach is currently in her second year at The University of Surrey studying Veterinary Medicine. Emma completed her work experience at Drove in August 2021 and has kindly agreed to share with us why she’s chosen to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine and her love of science.

What was your favourite activity/learning experience during your time at Drove?

Shadowing the new graduate vets really helped shape my perspective on what a vet is and their responsibilities. My favourite memory was watching one of them perform an orthopaedic surgery and seeing all the equipment and machinery that was required to carry the surgery out!

When did you realise you wanted to become a vet? And what are your preferred areas of veterinary science?

I knew from very young I wanted to do something with science at its core, then I found myself always gravitating toward all sorts of animals, from helping little lost baby birds to volunteering on a farm. Once I started doing work experience, I quickly realised how much I enjoyed the medical side to it and all the problem-solving that was required.

Dogs have always been one of my favourite animals and at university I’ve found the psychology aspect of small animals and their owners interesting. However, I didn’t think I would’ve enjoyed large animal medicine as much as I have – especially on my lambing placements, even if it’s freezing and raining its always nice to be out in a field helping them.

Are there any other STEM subjects that really interest you?

I loved chemistry at GCSE and A-level, especially the practicals in year 12 and 13 which proved all the theory we had been learning right in front of our eyes. I did computer science at GSCE where we would spend the whole hour doing these coding challenges that felt like I was learning a new language. Once I got the hang of it, it was something I really enjoyed.