I've got a serious career choice Dilemma..

[jugoya]

Right now I'm in sales.
Honestly I hate it..

I keep wanting to go back to school to be a veterinary technician but have put it off for years.

I wanted to be a vet when you get but that is unrealistic to be honest.

Should I do it?

 

[Terry57]

I say go for it! Look at it this way...in 10 years, you will still be 10 years older, whether you are doing something you love or something you hate. Might as well be doing something you love. It is never too late to follow your dreams.

 

[psychocircus91]

Look into local programs, job outlook, and salaries. If those areas meet your expectations and needs, then yes absolutely.

 

[RavensGryf]

I think that if you have an opportunity to do so, I'd choose what would make you the most happy in the long run. Depending on the sales job, it can make more money, but if you're miserable it's not worth it. I have been in the vet field before, and I even worked at a vocational school for vet techs and assistants. If you go to school, look into becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). It's the equivalent to a human RN. The position can command significantly higher pay than a Veterinary Assistant, and would look good to many potential employers.

 

[jugoya]

Just finding the program is the issue
I wonder if the online programs are worth it

 

[SailBoat]

I have been in Sales for the vast majority of my Life and have greatly enjoyed myself! My combination Engineering and Business Degrees have severed me very well.

Sales is a varied field and ranges from Phone Bank Sales all the way to High End Project Sales. Another way of saying it is: Flash and Bang Push Sales to Relationship Sales. If your problem with Sales is the face-to-face with the customer, you're likely not going to be happy. What Kind of Sales are you in?

Having a Degree has changed greatly over the years. However, an 'online degree' has never provided the level of acceptance as a degree from a noted College. Now, when looking at a specific field, the College needs to be 'known' and have a history of providing Degrees in that Field! Example: Getting a MD from one that is known for its Degrees in Law would be a waste of time and money.

Check with your Avian Vet for recommendations and a possible opportunity to get a 'feel' if this is a field you would really enjoy or not! What you see from the Client side is very different on the other side of the door.

As stated above; Its Never Too Late! Just make sure its really what you want!

NOTE: Many Community Colleges have great reputations and programs, some even better then four year Colleges. Check the status of your local Community College. They are commonly less expensive and many are equally or more accredited.

 

[smbrds]

If you can't see yourself doing anything else, if it's something you've wanted to do for awhile, go for it. Do what makes you happy and all of that.

In the vet tech field there can be some discrepancies in education, meaning that you "can" work unlicensed and trained off the street like a veterinary assistant (though there also training programs for that too). Technically that would be considered an assistant, not a tech. Techs go to school anywhere from 2 years to 4 years. And those that have education and licensing tend to make more and have more leverage. You would go 2 years at a CC then transfer to a 4 year university to complete the bachelors and from there you could even go into management and teaching. Those programs can be expensive though and you can have just as much opportunity without it. Some 4 year programs are also not available in certain states. There are specialties you can go into which would also increase your pay, you can become a manager throughout the hospital/clinic.

I would avoid the online schools and look into a local community college that offers a vet tech program.

 

[gracebowen]

Go for it. Im 41. I finally got my Bachelor's degree 1 1/2 years ago.

 

[Blancaej]

I say go for it! You only live once and you don't want to regret not doing it when your older. If it's what you really want then the time and effort will be worth it!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[jdlehman76]

Several things that came to mind in reading your question.

1. I worked for a company for five years, and was miserable the whole time. I made great money, and had weekends free. I went on to own my own business, made nothing worked six days a week and loved it for five years. My point being do something you enjoy and learn to live of the income that provides.

2. How much experience do you have in Vet related activities? I would suggest that if you haven't already done things like this that you start volunteering at local animal shelters to clean cages, walk animals, help in anyway you can. My thought here being that a vet tech's job is not just holding new born kittens and playing with puppies. Yes, there are certainly moments in that job that involve lots of fun and joy, but more often you are handling animals that are scared and sick. The owners are not always pleasant or helpful and you see a lot of sad situations. (I worked in a animal hospital for 8 years in various roles so I speak from experience. I also have three vets in my immediate family.) It is a wonderful and rewarding field of work, but it's not all glamorous.

3. It wouldn't hurt before you make this decision to evaluate how many job opportunities in this field are where you currently live or if you are willing to move. It can be a challenging and competitive field so be honest in evaluating your odds of getting and keeping a job in your local job market.

At the end of the day if you really understand the demands and scope if the job, feel that you have a legitimate shot at obtaining employment, and can afford the education then I would say, "Go for it!" I can't stress how glad I am that I changed careers.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Scott]

Lots of great advice so far!

1- Definitely strive to discover the "back door" side of a career as vet tech. Every profession is different when viewed internally!

2- One of my nieces is taking an RVT course online and thus far enjoys the process. She also works about 3/4 time in a small vet practice. Of course the best judge of her schooling will be when she takes the state board exam. (Personally, I would prefer the interaction of traditional classroom instruction.)

3- One of the avian vets at the practice I frequent was a vet tech for several years before taking a LOA to attend veterinary school. Be realistic, but never give up on a dream!!