We were delighted to welcome back James Holliday (Ridley ’16) to Aylesbury Grammar School to speak to students as part of our Inspirational Speakers Programme. James delivered an engaging and informative talk titled “Veterinary Medicine: A World of Oppawtunities”, offering a refreshingly honest insight into both the profession and his own slightly unconventional route into veterinary medicine.

James talked students through his journey to becoming a vet, emphasising that career paths do not always follow a straight line. Before entering veterinary medicine, his experiences included engineering, time in the Armed Forces, and studying chemistry — all of which ultimately helped shape his skills and resilience. He went on to study at Durham University before completing his veterinary training at the Royal Veterinary College, explaining that veterinary medicine is a demanding five-year course and highlighting key factors students should consider when choosing where to apply.

Alongside outlining what veterinary schools look for in applicants, James also gave a realistic overview of his day-to-day work as a vet, discussing the variety, challenges and rewards of the role. His talk gave students a valuable perspective on the profession beyond the classroom and application process.

After the presentation, students had the opportunity to get hands-on experience, listening to the heartbeat of James’s dog and examining a range of veterinary instruments — a memorable and interactive end to an inspiring session.

About the speaker
James Holliday (Ridley ’16) is a first-opinion veterinary surgeon currently working at Wendover Heights Veterinary Centre. His path to becoming a vet was not a linear one, taking him through engineering, the Armed Forces and a chemistry degree before finding his passion in veterinary medicine.

We are very grateful to James for returning to AGS to share his experiences and inspire the next generation of aspiring vets.