Erika Eigenbrod 37 Occupation: Veterinarian
Email: eigenbrod3@gmail.com
Education: Bachelor's of science in animal science from University of Illinois Champaign Urbana and doctorate from University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
Family: Husband, John; Our kids, Kaleb, Kodi and Kolt
Affiliations/community activities: Vice president of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association
What led you to your current career?
A love of science, medicine, an insane drive and the fistulated cow in ANSCI 101's first lab.
What would you like to give back to your community? I would love to work with high school and college students to help mentor them through finding careers, selecting schools, finding jobs and starting their adult life in the right direction.
What obstacles have you been able to overcome on your career path?
Veterinary medicine can be challenging in many ways: emotionally challenging, mentally challenging and physically challenging. I was able to forge a path of my own with great mentors by my side. I was able to learn how to have a satisfying and successful career while also being a mom to three very busy children and a wife to a hard-working husband.
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path? Trust yourself. You make the right decisions and you get where you always wanted to be. The road is long and hard but you learn so much. You learn that the road is never ending so start to enjoy the journey.
Are there any events of the past year that have affected you and how so?
Every family of every pet I have helped say goodbye takes a piece of my heart that I will never get back. It is both a blessing and a curse to help.
What app on your phone are you ashamed to say you use?
Tik Tok...eek.
