Minding the gap between hiring manager and Gen Z expectations
When it comes to recruiting newly minted DVMs for private practice openings, specificity matters. Potential hires are unlikely to be persuaded by ambiguous claims about “work-life balance” or “team culture.”
But, according to an informal survey conducted by Assistant Clinical Professor Ryan Gibson, they will respond positive to more concrete details about structured mentorship, onboarding, workplace culture, and professional development opportunities.
Gibson recently surveyed veterinary students about what they’re seeking and presented the findings at the 2026 AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in Chicago in January. His presentation piqued the interest of AVMA News and contributed to a broader discussion of the occasional “values gap” that exists between hiring managers and members of Generation Z.
Read the AVMA News account of Gibson’s presentation and why structured mentorship matters to emerging professionals.