Maria Pirita hosts the Uncharted Veterinary podcast with guest Elizabeth Stark, a licensed veterinary technician and founder of Vet Ref Solutions, to answer a mailbag from a veterinary team lead considering practice management for higher pay but worried about administration and time away from patients. They discuss separating what you love, what you are good at, and what you do not want to do, and reframing growth as lateral as well as vertical. Stark shares her path through general practice, academia, and leadership, the impact of limited onboarding, and why coaching and on-site education can improve retention and reduce burnout. Together they suggest action steps like self-reflection, asking “why” repeatedly, seeking community outside the hospital, networking, volunteering, setting SMART goals, testing responsibilities, negotiating pay, and even creating a coaching and development role. Stark notes upcoming speaking dates and where to find her online.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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