''The first thing to be mentioned as a tip for attaining good work- life balance is to manage time and to keep our tasks scheduled. '' - Meet Doctor Meron Tsegaye

 

Hi! Please tell us who you are and what you do?

Hi, my name is Meron Tsegaye, I graduated from Samara University with Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and from Admas University with BA degree in Management. Currently am studying Master of Public Health at Gamby Medical and Business College in the extension program. I work in a veterinary Drug Importing company as a Technical leader. I can describe myself in short as ‘3V’ (which are I am a Veterinarian, Vegetarian and Volunteer) the reason behind for me being a vegetarian is I love animals and I never believe that animals suffer lass than humans. They feel pain as we do even worse, because they cannot help themselves. They feel the worst pain when they are prepared for food. So I became a vegetarian because we Veterinarians are considered as the guardians of animal welfare, rights and health so we shouldn’t eat the animal community which we are serving, treating and caring for. They become our patients when they got disease. And I have a principle that if I eat animals, it means I eat my patients rather than helping them. The other one is I engage in volunteer activities with my friends through our charity association which have been founded while we were studying in university.

Please briefly describe your current role and professional interests? 

My role in my current  job involves interacting multiple functional areas including Product management, Product registration, distribution of import products and handling Inventory Control , Product pricing, Competitive analysis, planning and leading an agent ship agreement, searching and mailing with reliable product manufacturer or supplier, sales planning and conducting market research, generating product requirements and performing ongoing documentation of logistics procedures and interact in the import transaction through following steps and procedures of the ‘Veterinary Drug and Feed Administration and Control Authority’(VDFACA).  My professional interest is to work in clinical medicine if I could get the chance.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Well, my typical working days begin as I get up early and pray then try to arrive work 40 minutes before the start time which is 2:30.  In this way there is   no rush for not being on time and it will help me to gather myself and focus. Before getting in to work, I will check my mails and reply accordingly, I will try to relax my mind and will try to watch a 10 minute motivational video.  Then after I will check  on my ‘To do list’  which I jot down the previous night for the next day and according to the plan I will try to get myself ready to work. After checking all the plans I have for work, I will try to complete and prioritize them depending on their urgency and importance. I review the status of my work plan and I try to finish any pending work if present.  I try to make sure that the responsibilities that I have been assigned are moving forward.  I usually go for lunch to my home since it’s nearby to my work area then get back to office and will continue doing my work. If I got free time, I will try to dig and refer materials which will help for the class I am taking. After my working hour,   I either meet with friends for Macchiato or go straight home. If I get home early, I will try to help mom by doing home stuff and getting dinner ready. Then I will try to study or do my assignments and I will attend my online zoom class since we are not going to school during this pandemic. Then after I will jot down my ‘to do list’, I will manage to have self-time and then will pray and go to bed.

What is your favourite part of the job? 

I enjoy going to my job for that I get earned from it for living. And the other favorite part of this job is it will help me to build relationships with different kind of Customers and groups, it will enable me to maximize my communication skill, and every day brings a new challenge which helps me to learn continually. 

What can be done as a student to impact your profession/your country at large?

Students at any profession and at any level must study hard, engage in positive social interaction, learn to be responsible, learn to make decision, grow up, learn about organization, develop communication skill, show care and consideration towards others, learn to appreciate and accept differences with each other, actively get involved in community serving, show patriotism to country and show respect to their teachers and parents.

What do you think that the role of students in your respective fields/any other would be to impact their dream as a student?

In a veterinary field of study or in any field, Students should dedicate their time, focus and devotion toward their dream of becoming big.  Students should always make their activities scheduled. It’s also important to eat well in order to be active and pay attention since a long hour class will be waiting. Interacting with fellow classmates is important to share experiences. Vet students are not only being expected to cover a lot of materials, but also they are needed to develop practical skills that help in preparing to practice veterinary medicine after graduating. Participating in different clubs and community service as well as in volunteer activities is essentially recommended for moral satisfaction and developing skills.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The common most challenging part of being a veterinarian is facing underestimation in the community.  We People who become veterinarian endure it for the respect of our job and passion for helping animals as well as the society.

Do you have any tips for achieving a good work-life balance?

The first thing to be mentioned as a tip for attaining good work- life balance is to manage time and to keep our tasks scheduled. As balanced diet is recommended to health so as the same goes to a balanced work-life balance which is essential in building ones wellbeing of mental, social, physical and cultural aspect. We should make sure that we have carved up work hours, family time, self-time, social life fairly.

How do veterinary professionals currently help to drive sustainability?

Veterinary professionals can act as an intermediate between animal management and the human environment. Veterinarians play a major role in protecting the food chain free from infection and contamination. Vets contribute a lot towards sustainability. Elimination and reduction of zoonosis will contribute in improving economy of a country so it will help in meeting one of the sustainable development goals which is to end poverty in all its forms. Veterinarians work in public health, solving environmental problems that affect animals and humans. Animals are great sentinels for things that affect humans. So vets can play a vital role with human public health in one health approach.

What do you feel are the major opportunities to drive sustainability in the veterinary sector?

Veterinary profession is the most trusted profession and as such, vets have social responsibilities to be trying to function sustainability. Vets can contribute to the environment health by giving advice on waste management and carcass management to the agricultural sector.

What are your top tips for veterinary professionals wishing to take the first steps to drive sustainability in their roles?

Veterinarians at first should be devoted to and be proud of their profession. They should be dedicated to protect the health and well-being of animals and humans. Other tips to a successful career in veterinary medicine are: Good communication skills, Leadership experience, a scientific mind, researching and working aiming to meet the sustainable development goals.

If you could wave a magic wand and make one improvement to drive the sustainability impact of the veterinary profession, what would it be?

For everyone to feel and aware  that veterinary profession is a backbone in maintaining health in animal and human population  and can make an influence in public health sector as well as in attaining environmental health. And to change or to value lives of animals, animal owners and customers or other individuals through sustainable business and welfare practices.

Author: 

Beyond Student for Change Initiative