You're a vet considering a change of career. But how can you do this without losing your identity as a veterinarian? How do you handle the change in career, without a change in identity? Overcoming the expectations - and maybe even disappointment - of family and friends. Where will you fit in when you're no longer a clinical vet? - Our guest this week: Naomi Mellor (equine vet turned professional podcaster) Naomi took an unusual turn in her career as a vet, going from a respectable job as an equine vet in the racing industry, to a relatively obscure and less prestigious profession. For someone who had always wanted to be a vet her entire life. She experienced doubts at an unusual age - before she'd even gone to university. Her parents and mentors quickly quelled that doubt. She went to vet school and ended up working for over 10 years and the equine industry, before rediscovering her passion and a completely new industry - podcasting. She now runs the international woman's podcast awards as well as hosting her own podcast, working with Amazon, and doing the occasional bit of vet work. But before Naomi got there, she also struggled with her identity as a veterinarian. - In this episode you’ll learn: What Naomi means by 'creating space' in order to figure out what you're meant to be doing next. Why networking is not a necessary evil, but something you should look forward to doing, if you're serious about changing careers. How you can change your career, without losing your identity as a veterinarian. - YOUR NEXT STEP: Create Space. Find a way to reduce your hours at work. Ideally locum so that you're in control of your own hours. If this isn't an option, tell your work, you need to reduce your hours. It's your life and if you're too busy and stressed to allow the time and energy to spend on your career development you will never find the space to do it. You've got to create space for yourself. I would recommend reducing your hours of work by at least eight hours a week. This will allow more time for rest and relaxation and mean you can spend at least two hours a week on your career development. - If you’re enjoying this podcast, don’t forget to subscribe on your listening app. - Guest link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-mellor-171550150/ - Next Step Vet COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextstepvet/  Learn more at: https://www.nextstepvet.com Or reach out to: [email protected]