The Charlatan: FOF 18
b'After four hard years I was tired of vet school and ready to jump into the workforce. I decided to skip an internship, which meant another year of school. Deb, my girlfriend, was incredulous that I was ready to stop my scholastic learning. How did I expect to become a top-notch vet without doing internship? She would be graduating next year and was already contemplating where she would apply for her internship. \\u201cI can practice legally because I have a license, I reminded her. \\u201cBut you haven\\u2019t developed the skillset to do a good job,\\u201d she insisted. \\u201cThat\\u2019s why it\\u2019s important for me to work with a veterinarian who understands the limitations a new graduate may have. I\\u2019ll work closely with Dr. Brant, and he\\u2019ll be there for me when I run into problems,\\u201d I reassured my doubting girlfriend. And so, I became an associate at Paso Robles Vet Clinic with the intention of learning my skills from a seasoned veterinarian, hoping to work my way into a life-long partnership at his clinic. I saw my new employer as a grandpa figure, a loving giving mentor who thrived on sharing his knowledge of animals with me.'