AVMA Government Relations Externship: Bailey Goff

Submitted by Bailey Goff, Iowa State University

"All Good Things Come to an End"

Although my time in Washington D.C. has not concluded, my time as an AVMA GRD extern has.  For the past three weeks, I have auspiciously embraced the experiences afforded by the Government Relations Division and their team. I’ll be finishing out two more weeks in another policy-based position in D.C. before returning back to Iowa State University for graduation (less than 50 days away)!

Why did I choose to apply for the AVMA GRD externship?

The externship website touts impressive activities – all that I had the pleasure to engage with during my time in DuPont Circle. “It’s an opportunity to learn a facet of the profession that you won’t find in school…”  During the normal veterinary school curriculum, interacting with the “non-traditional” aspects of the profession – organized medicine, public policy, advocacy – are frustratingly minimal to none.  Serving as an AVMA GRD extern fundamentally fostered these skills while in the learning spaces as a student.  “As an extern, you’ll work firsthand on issues that affect the veterinary profession…”  Throughout the past three weeks, I have had the unique opportunity to engage in the legislative activities surrounding xylazine scheduling – an issue deeply relevant to large animal practitioners, zoo personnel, and livestock producers across the United States. Watching the AVMA GRD team work diligently on making this work for veterinary uses of xylazine highlights how combined voices advance the needs of the profession.  Continued work on the Healthy Dog Importation Act, Farm Bill, and Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act showcased these abilities, too.

“Externs are asked to problem solve, collaborate, adapt to daily changes in priorities, and influence others…”  Navigating schedule changes on the fly, accommodating virtual meetings and in-person engagements across the D.C. area, attending meetings and note-taking on relevant topics, and assisting with legislative-based tasks have provided an avenue to gain these tangible skills. I have to extend my deepest appreciation to my externship-mate, Marie Cozzarelli.  There’s no other person I’d rather get lost with and attempt to ride scooters to the Smithsonian Zoo, then end the afternoon with the messiest scoop of gelato on the hottest spring day in the District yet. While this externship excites my professional interests, I sincerely look forward to what Marie does in this early stage of her career.  By the end of this externship, we joked that we could act as the other with ease – introducing background, experiences, and passions areas. I was lucky to share this externship with an impressive colleague. “It’s a chance to take your learning from veterinary school and apply it outside of the clinical setting – and have a great time doing it.”  I can say I had an incredible time, indeed.

What are my next steps after graduation? Oh boy. With less than two months until I walk across the stage, I reluctantly say I am still unsure. What this externship has built, however, is a level of confidence in choosing my early career path, no matter the timeline. I’ll be continuing my education with a Master’s degree and (likely) moving to the Washington D.C. area in the coming months. While I decide between clinical practice vs. other “non-traditional” jobs, I take with me the wide array of experiences and invaluable skillset attained while serving as an AVMA GRD extern.