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Careers??
- Thread starter BrandNew
- Start date
Hypancistrus
New member
Vet school is both expensive and competetive. If you don't have a solid B average in high school, don't plan on pre-vet right out of high school, and you will need to maintain an A average to go to vet school here in the states. You are looking at a minimum of 8 years of school to get your DVM degree. Introductory jobs can be low in pay and benefits, so you will have lots of school loans with little to go on as you get started.
Herpetology is again, highly competetive, low in pay, and will require at least a masters (6 years) of school to start in. Most jobs will be teaching oriented at universities and will require a PhD. Jobs are few and far between.
Other examples of jobs in which you can work with animals: wildlife science (similar to herpetology), professional animal training, veterinary technology, fisheries science (similar issues with job availability), zoo and aquarium keeping (would probably require a zoology or animal science degree and experience), pet store management, and others.
If you love working with animals... my advice is to find yourself a solid job that is 1) financially secure & rewarding, and 2) reliable in availability and then use your financial and job security to work with animals and share them with others on your own time.
Edit: I see you are in Virginia... if you are interested in doing college work with animals, Virginia Tech, my alma mater, has great opportunities in those fields. They have fisheries and wildlife programs, and animal and poultry science. You will be afforded the chance to work directly with animals as you progress through these programs. Be realistic about the opportunities afterwards. My degree was in fisheries and the only jobs available to start were $18-20K a year on the west coast, no benefits.
Candachan
Luna Serpentry
Very few schools in the US actually offer actual "Herpetology" degrees. Usually if you wanted to do something like that, you would go through vet school, become a licensed Veterinarian, and then take extra education courses to narrow down your specialty. Becoming a Vet takes a long time, so you have to be pretty dedicated!
You can also become a Vet Technician, but the schooling is a lot different than a Veterinarian, so you can't become a Vet from the starting point of a Vet Tech (meaning the credits usually won't transfer between degrees). However, it is a lot faster and a good way to get a job at a vet clinic, shelter, or other facility.
Other options include: Biology, Zoology, Laboratory Animal Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Genetics.
Lauren said it better!
You can also become a Vet Technician, but the schooling is a lot different than a Veterinarian, so you can't become a Vet from the starting point of a Vet Tech (meaning the credits usually won't transfer between degrees). However, it is a lot faster and a good way to get a job at a vet clinic, shelter, or other facility.
Other options include: Biology, Zoology, Laboratory Animal Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Science, and Genetics.
Lauren said it better!
jlindp
Ophidiophile.
I'm on the Vet School route myself and it is indeed a lot of work, but not impossible. Grades are incredibly important, as well as your GRE or MCAT (or more rarely, VCAT) score. You need to have experience with animals (all kinds is preferable) in general, and definitely experience working under a veterinarian. Each Vet School is different in terms of how many hours they expect or the minimum GPR you must have (i.e. Texas A&M requires a minimum 2.9 GPR and at least 50 hours vet experience). Keep in mind that Vet School is indeed VERY competitive and is even harder to get into out-of-state, since most schools only allot 10-20 places for out-of-state applicants. Wanting to be a vet is something you really, really need to put a lot of consideration into, not just a whim. You'll be paying a lot of money and spending a lot of time studying. Make sure you're comfortable around blood and death. Go start working at a clinic, if you can. Ask the vet if you can watch surgeries or go on house calls. Most doctors are very willing to teach you and actually like to see potential vet students with the desire to learn. Remember, the experience doesn't have to be paid. Most of my hours came from a process called "shadowing." Vet Schools like to see you have at least 100+ hour with each vet, to see that you were diligent and had the chance to learn as much as you could from that doctor. It's looks very good to be as diverse as possible in the clinics you've shadowed (i.e. small, equine, food animal, emergency, exotic, etc.).
Also, it does not take a minimum of 8 years to get your DVM. As long as you have all the course prerequisites for wherever you apply, you don't even have to get your Bachelor's. Many vet students were able to get all their prerequisites in 2 years and finish vet school in 4.
Good luck with whichever path you choose! :}
Also, it does not take a minimum of 8 years to get your DVM. As long as you have all the course prerequisites for wherever you apply, you don't even have to get your Bachelor's. Many vet students were able to get all their prerequisites in 2 years and finish vet school in 4.
Good luck with whichever path you choose! :}
ceduke
Female Wiccan Heretic!!
Vet med is, I believe, the only field with a higher suicide rate than dentistry. You need an iron skin to work in the field. Ah, here's an article on the subject:
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dv...-threat/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514794
I was a registered vet tech for awhile, and it was a miserable experience. It's incredibly demanding psychologically, and ALL of the clinics I worked in seemed to run entirely on catty politics. You would think that in such a tough field people would want to support one another, but that just doesn't seem to be the case. There's a lot of backbiting, gossiping, and political nonsense going on ALL THE TIME.
The hours are long, clients expect you to perform miracles without charging them any money, they wait until their animals are REALLY ill to bring them in rather than bringing them in at the first sign of illness, and then take it out on you when things don't go smoothly and inexpensively. It's NOT a high-paying job and any mistake you make could have HUGE consequences. I do know that one of my favorite kitties from the last place I worked was killed by a vet who accidentally gave him too much insulin. (RIP Perry-cat)
I don't mean to be a complete downer...I'm sure for the right person it's very rewarding...but I think a lot of people who go into the field have much happier expectations, and finding out what it's really like can be an enormous let down. I know it was for me, and I'm still floundering because I've never in my life imagined myself in any other field. I can honestly say that I'd rather flip burgers for the rest of my life than work in a clinic again though.
http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dv...-threat/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/514794
I was a registered vet tech for awhile, and it was a miserable experience. It's incredibly demanding psychologically, and ALL of the clinics I worked in seemed to run entirely on catty politics. You would think that in such a tough field people would want to support one another, but that just doesn't seem to be the case. There's a lot of backbiting, gossiping, and political nonsense going on ALL THE TIME.
The hours are long, clients expect you to perform miracles without charging them any money, they wait until their animals are REALLY ill to bring them in rather than bringing them in at the first sign of illness, and then take it out on you when things don't go smoothly and inexpensively. It's NOT a high-paying job and any mistake you make could have HUGE consequences. I do know that one of my favorite kitties from the last place I worked was killed by a vet who accidentally gave him too much insulin. (RIP Perry-cat)
I don't mean to be a complete downer...I'm sure for the right person it's very rewarding...but I think a lot of people who go into the field have much happier expectations, and finding out what it's really like can be an enormous let down. I know it was for me, and I'm still floundering because I've never in my life imagined myself in any other field. I can honestly say that I'd rather flip burgers for the rest of my life than work in a clinic again though.
Candachan
Luna Serpentry
A lot of good starting places to work are pet stores (as terrible as they can be), grooming parlors, animal shelters (volunteering), and various animal rescue groups. You'd be amazed how much you learn just by cleaning up poop and getting bitten by things!
You could also look into getting an entry-level laboratory job (test-tube pusher) at an animal research facility. That is more of a research field with a subset in animal medical care. There are various certifications in this field which are easy to earn based on experience.
You can't be squeamish, and you can't get overly emotional. There is going to be death and gore no matter what, that's the price of working with animals. Once you do start school and shadowing, you will have to work long, awkward hours. You might have to do night shifts and an E-Vet, or work 12 hour shifts at a shelter. It takes a lot of hard work, academically, physically, and mentally.
You could also look into getting an entry-level laboratory job (test-tube pusher) at an animal research facility. That is more of a research field with a subset in animal medical care. There are various certifications in this field which are easy to earn based on experience.
You can't be squeamish, and you can't get overly emotional. There is going to be death and gore no matter what, that's the price of working with animals. Once you do start school and shadowing, you will have to work long, awkward hours. You might have to do night shifts and an E-Vet, or work 12 hour shifts at a shelter. It takes a lot of hard work, academically, physically, and mentally.
when i was in school i would have loved to go into engineering or anything to do with it. but instead i went the route of auto technician. i finally realized that i wasnt the best at designing things and taking my time, and its very competitive. but i am good at working on stuff and solving problems, so when i noticed that it was easy to figure out what i could do for a good living, be happy with what im doing, and i know ill always have a job. people will always need their vehicles fixed and maintained.
thats not me telling you to be an auto tech. just telling you that if you go with what you think would be awesome and youd be happy doing. go that route. youll make good pay, be happy doing it and hopefully always have work to do. dont just go with what you think you want to do. wait around, your young and have tons of other stuff to worry about. itll come to you. just dont rush into it. even if its a year or 2 of college with no idea. you can still get your general ed down.
thats not me telling you to be an auto tech. just telling you that if you go with what you think would be awesome and youd be happy doing. go that route. youll make good pay, be happy doing it and hopefully always have work to do. dont just go with what you think you want to do. wait around, your young and have tons of other stuff to worry about. itll come to you. just dont rush into it. even if its a year or 2 of college with no idea. you can still get your general ed down.
Hypancistrus
New member
A practical career, to me, is one that you can handle working in for 30 years without going crazy, that provides financial stability for you and your family with good benefits. I am a practical person....
I love animals as much as anyone on this board (more than some, for that matter) and I chose to walk away from two careers dealing directly with animals (I was pre-vet to start off and ended with the career in fisheries) because they did not meet both of the qualifications above.
I could have gone to vet school if I had a bit more confidence in my abilities, but I would have been thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars in debt once I got out. And the way vet medicine works is that the folks making the money own the clinics or are specialists- you don't start off owning a clinic, and becoming a specialist requires still more cash to be put out. Neither of those works well for providing for a family and making financial ends meet. Fisheries and wildlife work is another example of a low paying job that folks LOVE. If you can handle making no money and not having good benefits to start out (i.e. if you are healthy, young and single, with no financial responsibilities, OR are partnered with someone with a higher paying job with benefits) then these careers can be incredibly rewarding.
But, in my opinion, they are not practical careers.
As far as practicality goes-- get into medicine (nursing, etc) or teaching (specifically science, math or special ed). These are all careers that are going to be in high demand in the coming decades. They are not always glamorous, or super-high paying, but it's reliable income with decent benefits and a job market that stays high even during poor economic times (people are always having babies, and those babies need educating and get sick too) With regards to nursing and medicine, one of the most needed fields for the future is geriatrics-- working with old people. As medicine and healthcare progresses, people live longer, and there will be a great need for specialists who can work with the elderly.
kathylove
Pragmatic & Logical
Great advice already given!
It really depends a lot on how many years of schooling you are willing and able to take on, and how much you REALLY want to sacrifice to work with animals.
If you are good in science, but don't want to go through all the time and expense of vet school, you might want to consider teaching science. It is possible you could even get a job in a zoo in the education dept., especially if you are able to relocate to wherever that job may be. But those jobs are few, so I wouldn't count on it. A science teacher might also be able to get a job in a nature center or some similar place.
Or you could go the route suggested earlier - get a good job very much in demand in nursing, etc, and start a small reptile business on the side.
I have a friend who has worked as a vet tech for at least several years, and she loves it. Just depends on where you work, I guess. Her boss gave on the job training, although most go to school for it. But the pay is not really great. Pay is something to consider, especially if you hope to raise a family someday.
If you have any interest in business related animal jobs, such as pet shop, grooming, reptile breeder, etc, then be sure to at least minor in business. Most reptile breeders (including me) know a lot more about reptiles than business - and it often shows in the profit and loss statements, lol!
It really depends a lot on how many years of schooling you are willing and able to take on, and how much you REALLY want to sacrifice to work with animals.
If you are good in science, but don't want to go through all the time and expense of vet school, you might want to consider teaching science. It is possible you could even get a job in a zoo in the education dept., especially if you are able to relocate to wherever that job may be. But those jobs are few, so I wouldn't count on it. A science teacher might also be able to get a job in a nature center or some similar place.
Or you could go the route suggested earlier - get a good job very much in demand in nursing, etc, and start a small reptile business on the side.
I have a friend who has worked as a vet tech for at least several years, and she loves it. Just depends on where you work, I guess. Her boss gave on the job training, although most go to school for it. But the pay is not really great. Pay is something to consider, especially if you hope to raise a family someday.
If you have any interest in business related animal jobs, such as pet shop, grooming, reptile breeder, etc, then be sure to at least minor in business. Most reptile breeders (including me) know a lot more about reptiles than business - and it often shows in the profit and loss statements, lol!
BrandNew
New member
Well the pay for school is no problem considering my parents will pay. Also i have many many years to think about what i want to be animals just interest me A LOT ,and when i think of a job this is the only thing i can set on other then being a CEO. I try so hard to think so hard of other jobs. i want a job where i dont have to be dressed up everyday.i want one where i can relax and do what i love i wanna live on the beach in miami and own dozens of animals...i guesse it all takes time..
kathylove
Pragmatic & Logical
Those are some good thoughts to begin with...
Working conditions, dress, etc, can all add to the enjoyment - or stress - of the job.
As far as school, there are a LOT of choices. Paying for it is important, but not the only consideration. If you are good at school, and like it, then a 4 year degree, or even Master's or beyond, might be something to consider. When I graduated high school, the LAST thing I wanted was 4 more years! I wanted something that would take a year or two, or less. I seriously considered dog grooming. So the first thing you have to consider is what level of schooling are you willing to commit to, and is it going to be a science based program? If so, that will have an effect on the classes you take in high school.
My niece lived with me during high school and college, and I helped her navigate all of the choices. She finally settled on physical therapy. That was one of her possible choices early on, so she started preparing early by taking a lot of science classes in high school and community college. All of those classes would not have been necessary had she wanted to be a dog groomer like I considered. After helping her, my best advice is to look at a huge variety of possible professions that you THINK might make you happy. Then classify them according to what it takes to enter them, and what kind of pay, working conditions, etc, each offers. Then narrow them down to a few you like the best, and research more into those. Then you have to start preparing for the one with the most stringent prerequisites, so that you don't eliminate options because you don't have the proper classes.
Working conditions, dress, etc, can all add to the enjoyment - or stress - of the job.
As far as school, there are a LOT of choices. Paying for it is important, but not the only consideration. If you are good at school, and like it, then a 4 year degree, or even Master's or beyond, might be something to consider. When I graduated high school, the LAST thing I wanted was 4 more years! I wanted something that would take a year or two, or less. I seriously considered dog grooming. So the first thing you have to consider is what level of schooling are you willing to commit to, and is it going to be a science based program? If so, that will have an effect on the classes you take in high school.
My niece lived with me during high school and college, and I helped her navigate all of the choices. She finally settled on physical therapy. That was one of her possible choices early on, so she started preparing early by taking a lot of science classes in high school and community college. All of those classes would not have been necessary had she wanted to be a dog groomer like I considered. After helping her, my best advice is to look at a huge variety of possible professions that you THINK might make you happy. Then classify them according to what it takes to enter them, and what kind of pay, working conditions, etc, each offers. Then narrow them down to a few you like the best, and research more into those. Then you have to start preparing for the one with the most stringent prerequisites, so that you don't eliminate options because you don't have the proper classes.
ceduke
Female Wiccan Heretic!!
Stay FAR away from veterinary medicine
Hypancistrus
New member
Shiari
Blutterer
Your parents are willing to pay for $100,000 or more in school tuition? Adopt me?
BrandNew
New member
Yep
Well i have talked to my mom about all my plans for college so when she sold our last house she put away i think 75,000 in a savings account for college plus my godmother gives me 1,000 each birthday so i should be going somewhere plus my parents are divorced so my dad has to pay half... so yea why not...
She offered to buy me a car if i get straight A's 35,000 and bellow...:licklips::-offtopic:cheers:
Well i have talked to my mom about all my plans for college so when she sold our last house she put away i think 75,000 in a savings account for college plus my godmother gives me 1,000 each birthday so i should be going somewhere plus my parents are divorced so my dad has to pay half... so yea why not...
She offered to buy me a car if i get straight A's 35,000 and bellow...:licklips::-offtopic:cheers:
BrandNew
New member
Relaxation?? What the heck is that???
Oh trust me i can find a job where all you do is relax or atleast have Lots of FUN!
its on the tip of my tounge starts with a P end with a N and You can be a STAR!
Beatiful ladies and Fun!
Lol im just kidding... ( wonders what my mom would think)...:fullauto: i think shed kill me