Be Prepared!
Leslie: Let’s begin our conversation.
Ann: What’s on the note cards?
Leslie: They’re possible topics of conversation.
Ann: Whales. Parades. Electricity. And the rest are blank…
Leslie: Yeah, well I couldn’t think of anything else.
Parks and Recreation
Season 2, Episode 4: “The Practice Date”
Effective communication is a large portion of what a lobbyist does. Without preparation and a thought out plan of attack your platform crumbles before you even step onto the National Mall. I learned this lesson the “hard way” on my second day as an extern.
That day, I had a meeting with Dr. Ted Mashima the Associate Executive Director for Academic and Research Affairs of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). I have never had a first time conversation like this before. Dr. Mashima skipped the drinks, appetizer, and salad and got straight to the main course. We spent the next hour discussing the veterinarian’s role in the public eye, career paths, and the future of veterinary medical education.
Speaking with Dr. Mashima highlighted my rustiness in interviewing. A few “yeahs”, “cool”, and “umms” slipped out on occasion and I found myself getting flustered and lost in my own train of thought which is very uncommon for me. It definitely showed me how out of practice I was with basic networking skills. Dr. Mashima noticed that and gave me a pretty solid and constructive critique on my lack of preparation to speak with him and especially my lack of research done on the AAVMC (you can learn more about the AAVMC at www.aavmc.org). As it turns out, Dr. Mashima often speaks at national meetings and veterinary colleges about developing non-technical skills, such as networking and communications.
This is not a new lesson for me, but I’m glad that wakeup call occurred BEFORE I met with the Senators and Representatives of our country. I have to be completely prepared and know who I am speaking with as well as what I am speaking about in order to keep the conversation flowing and not allow awkward silences to infiltrate.
Needless to say, that meeting was embarrassing. The entire meeting I had “Be Prepared!” from The Lion King playing in my head, mocking my lack of preparedness. But you live and learn and hopefully improve every day.
Other than that I’ve spent some time with friends in Maryland, reading up on bills, calling legislators, trying to master the ride and read while commuting, preparing for the slew of meetings next week, getting lost at least once a day, and enjoying DC nightlife. I plan on sightseeing this weekend.
Until next time,
Kelvin Urday
AVMA-GRD Student Extern
University of Missouri
kelvin.urday@gmail.com