Evidence of Learning Assessment #1

Type of Assessment: Interview

Name of Interviewed Person: Dr. Kimberly Rainwater

Profession: Lead Veterinarian

Location and Business Name: Ft. Worth Zoo

Date of Interview: January 21, 2020

Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Analysis:

A big obstacle I had been facing of late was the feeling of discouragement, fear of failure,

and hesitation to move forward. My previous interview, although informative, had been

intimidating and led to no hope of a mentorship. With 2 primary contacts left, I hesitated to reach

out, knowing that if this outreach were to fall through, I would have to start from scratch and

redirect my long-term goals for ISM. Nevertheless, without trying, my odds of success were 0%,

so despite my hesitation, I picked up the phone and left a message.

To my relief, both professionals I reached out to were happy to speak with me. On

Tuesday the 21st of January, I met with Dr. Kimberly Rainwater at the Fort Worth Zoo. In

contrast to interviews that I had previously took part in, Dr. Rainwater seemed truly engaged in

our conversation, listening carefully to my questions and providing answers beyond what I

anticipated. Although I tried to come prepared with a list of questions to ask, I found myself

abandoning my notes and instead entering a genuine conversation. From my first question -

where did you go for your undergraduate education - the scope of the answer was well beyond

the inquiry posed. “Well, to answer your question, I would like to go back farther,'' she began,
“to my senior year of highschool”. From there, she explained her experience in choosing a

zoology program her school offered rather than AP Chemistry, how that exposure helped her in

her education, how the reactions of those around her in her decision to not take the AP science

course altered her ultimate selection in secondary education, and to her eventual elaboration on

her college, majors, and veterinary school application. In contrast to my conversation with Dr.

Bonar, who found his success in prioritizing upper-level classes, standardized testing, and

countless hours of dedicated volunteer work, I found solace in her relatability and honesty. Her

lighthearted story of winging the GRE was a much needed reminder that being the best is an

unrealistic goal to set. Seeing her success achieved through such a different pathway was

inspiring, engaging, and important.

Beyond the message she carried, the actual content of her words were also a great

reminder of what initially got me interested in the topic. In passing, she mentioned a study with

elephant herpesvirus, and I fear I may have scared her off with the way I lit up at that. My

previous research on EEHV gave me an opportunity to keep up with what she was saying, and

prompted me to ask more. She also told me about her experience with research and publication,

including topics such as fungal dermatitis in serpentes. Using what she taught me, I intend to

look further into the subjects which she has previously delved.

I sincerely hope that that conversation does not mark the end of our professional

relationship. Dr. Rainwater holds a leadership position in the Fort Worth Zoo, as well as

balancing her dedicated clinical hours. Because of this, I fear that mentorship may not be

something that could fit into her itinerary. I have since reached back out through email to ask a

few more questions, and hopefully from there I can more accurately gauge whether or not

mentorship is worth pursuing through her. She seemed enthusiastic to show me around the
hospital, explaining what different equipment is used for, and trusting me to enter a room during

a procedure without being disruptive. She also spoke frequently of mentors in her life who

helped her in her success, so I remain optimistic. I hope that moving forward, I may mirror her

accomplishments. Dr. Rainwater has certainly changed my outlook.