Thinking about returning to school

[indigo]

I have been talking with my guy about going back to school to study to be a vet tech / vet assistant. He supports it 10,000% (even found some schools around where we will be living in Cali for me!!!) and was actually the first of us two to mention it. I'd been thinking about it but hadn't mentioned it at all yet. Just my usual obsessed chatter about my animals and some of the stuff going on here and things I have found and such. He seems really excited about the idea (before me he was not even remotely a pet person lol), so that's very very encouraging. I could probably take at least some of the courses and find a job (even p/t) at a clinic maybe while he is in school (he's going to law school in the near future) so we have a more decent amount of cash flow.

Any opinions? Anyone else gone through this training? Any opinions or advise or anything? Any feedback would be fabulous.

 

[NoTx]

Good luck to both of you!

Seriously, finding a career working with stuff you love is something few people ever find. And remember, in the vet community: avian people are scarce!

 

[Genlisae]

I haven't gone through that training specifically no, but I did return to school 3 years ago. The experience was wonderful and reawakened my love of learning, as soon as I got over the "Oh my god... I am surrounded by children! When did I get old!?"

Unfortunately, $25, 000 in student loans later (and 2 weeks from completing my degree) I came to the conclusion that Digital Media Arts was completely the wrong career for me. I loved the design and artistic aspects of it, but the high pressure, high stress, living your work 24/7 I could do without. I can take a lot of what I learned and apply it to other careers yes, but it was a lot of time and money and very focused training for something that I simply could not do for very long at all, especially with a young child (she's still only 6).

So my advice: Be as sure as you can be that this is something you will enjoy doing. Perhaps before you decide for certain see if you can arrange some hands on work experience on a volunteer basis. If it is something you know you will love doing, don't let anyone stop you. If you aren't sure, find out.

Good luck and keep us posted

 

[Peta]

I haven't gone through that kinda training, but I've taken myself back to school in a big way, I'm now doing 4 courses in my spare time. (Not sure yet where this spare time is coming from)

Anyway I'm loving every minute of it.

Good luck to ya both. And good luck to you, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

[Flyte]

If your unsure, try getting a job at a veterinary clinic as receptionist or helper or even pooper scooper!!
I did and it only made me want to go to school more. Unfortunately my health doesn't permit it and I can't
You'd be seeing the kinds of things you'll be dealing with and you'll also learn things you'll be learning in college.
I was just the receptionist but I learned how to run poop tests, restrain animals properly, got to watch minor surgery (important because some people don't realize they can't handle that sort of thing), and helped with almost every euthanasia that came in. That was the most difficult for me. Helped to hold the animal and then sometimes handing it back to the owner and comforting them while trying to control my own tears.
There is a lot of stuff like that to deal with, make sure you can handle it!
Good luck, sounds like a great idea to me

Sarah

 

[indigo]

I definitely would go in an avian direction if I do this. Also, I have been talking with him about going back to school anyways in the last few months (for when I'm there). We will definitely be talking about this more. I will keep you all updated.

 

[Minzer84]

I am not going though that particular training, but I'm going to vet school, kind of the same...but if it's something that will make you happy and will make you want to get up and go to work every day then it's worth it...I'm going to be at least $300,000 in debt when I graduate, but knowing that I will be fulfilled in my career choice makes all of the time and money worth it...

 

[Deanna]

I like Minzer's word: "fulfillment" ... that is very important, far moreso than money. I also like the idea of working in the field, even as a "poop scooper"/voluteer/what have you, as it will expose you to the entirety of the career choice.

Sounds very exciting and new! I wish you the very best in what ever you choose!

 

[birdcrazy]

Go For It!!!!!!!!

 

[indigo]

Still am thinking about it - if I do it I do not want to regret it.

 

[TexDot33]

You know what is funny, espically here in America, you spend a lot of money on thie piece of paper (and I mean a lot of money - $50,000, $60,000+) and you don't know it at the time how important that paper might be - until you don't have it ...

Education is one of those things that should NEVER BE SECOND GUESSED -- you are never worse off for having more knowledge ...

Indigo, go for it -- head on, go for it!

 

[indigo]

My man is very pro-education and he wants me to go back to school. I went to college in the late 90s, left shortly before getting my piece of paper (ran out of money and didn't qualify for funding - long story). I have been turned down for jobs simply on the basis of NOT having that piece of paper (which I think aught to be illegal); they've not even taken into consideration that I have started and run my own business, have been in management positions and have a very apt business mind as during my entire childhood to my late teens I was in a business environment with regards to my family members (they were avid braggers and did so about their jobs on a VERY regular basis). My father was a self-taught lower exec of one of the major international Canadian banks, and my mother was a teacher and has also owned her own businesses etc. Sadly, the vast majority of employers do not take experience in that regard into consideration; until they ask most employers assume I have a university degree in how I present myself and the positions (as in my own businesses) that I have successfully held. There is a 95% chance I will return to school, especially with my hunk-a-man's support. It's a stressful decision process, but a good kind of stress.

 

[Peta]

especially with my hunk-a-man's support.

It makes everything a lot easier if you have your other half's support in this. Its a big step, but very worth it.

 

[indigo]

Yah. My guy is completely opposite from my ex husband. My ex was anti-anything I wanted to do and against anything that was good for me (hense his ex status).

 

[pheobus]

Go for it Indigo!

You deserve it and the only reason you should do it, is for yourself and only yourself!

My ex was anti-anything I wanted to do and against anything that was good for me

I am anti-ex have I told you that?

 

[indigo]

lol ... I like that - anti-ex lol