Honest career opinion please

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hello all,

I’m currently working in a brokerage in Canada as a trader. NOT what I envisioned when I was a kid.

I have a Zoo degree and an immense love for animals since forever. I had always thought I was going to be a vet.

The entrance requirements for Guelph (Ontario Vet College) are astronomically high. My university marks were nowhere near the average acceptance. I just gave up.

Also, many of the applicants have a lifetime of animal exposure. (farm or maritime) Being a Torontonian all my life, I was never able to have more than 4 or 5 animals at once (turtles, snakes, dogs, rabbits, fish, various rodents).

My question. Is it feasible to go back to school to upgrade some marks? Do the MCAT/VCAT? Accumulate some volunteer experience? Any all things necessary? (maybe 3 years total)…apply to all Vet schools (north america, europe)

I prefer wildlife rehab. Certainly, this career change has nothing to do with money.

I know the obstable is immense but I’m willing to try. I’m really hoping there are some people who went through the same thing. However, if there are some people who honestly feel that this is too much of a pipe dream, I’d rather you be honest than polite.

I’m 25 right now. I plan to get married in 2 years (max). My girlfriend of 5 years has an excellent job and money would not be a problem (mortgage payments, etc) HOWEVER, at this point in my life, I could either finish off my CFA designation (an lead a financially secure life though quite unsatisfying) or make an all out attempt for VET school (good chance I won’t make it, lose 3 years…)

I’ve been miserable over this decision for the last 2 months.

any input would be helpful. I tried posting the same message on some career guidance boards but you get the typical answer. the SDMB appears to be candid and straight shooting. I’d really appreciate that.

I guess the question is about feasibility. I know it would be the right thing to do (personally and even spiritually) but is it feasible?

thank you all in advance (even for reading this). All advice (if any) would be greatly appreciated

Peppy
Toronto

2

If you have a dream of a vocation you could be happy doing, by all means, pursue it!

'nuff said.

3

My best buddy from childhood (Paul), got his degree same time as me (76) at MSU in Hotel Restaurant Institutional Management. He started working at the (then) new Ren Cen in Detroit, found out within minutes he hated it. Not just simple dislike, absolutely hated it. Made great money. didn’t matter. I just heard from him yesterday, he’s finally gotten his PhD from Purdue in History (I think European, but hell, I didn’t read his disertation). I say, go for it!

4

I think you should go for it. For example, Dian Fossey, the “Gorillas in the Mist” lady was trained as a speech pathologist(I’m relatively sure) before meeting Louis Leakey and suddenly realizing her lifelong dream of working with animals.

I’m pretty sure that one of the top vet schools in the US is University of California – Davis, then most of the “state” schools (Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, etc.) have programs, and some of the “Tech” schools (Virginia Tech, etc) so there’s tons of options if you are willing to travel. I would say to gather info from lots of schools so you know which one you really want to go to, then get some experience, and go! It will be a ton of work, but you know, when you’re doing something you love it doesn’t seem like work.

–Save up a bunch of money from your (hopefully lucrative) trading career to tide you over through part of school.

5

Hi Peppy;

What a tough quandary you’re in! I don’t know what veterinary services are like in Canada, but I do know that it is very hard to become a veterinarian here in the US. My ex-husband once contemplated it (he got a BA instead of a BS in Zoology instead and pursued non-veterinary avenues), and I know that it takes MORE years to become a vet than it does to become a physician.

I’m going to put my old student services hat on (from a previous career track). I realize you can go a couple of different ways, so here are my thoughts:
[ul]
[li]You don’t mention whether getting your CFA and working in the financial field will provide a tidy sum for you. Since you are only 25, you can use this time now to make a lot of money and work towards independent financial security. You could retire early and go back to school, or volunteer for a variety of animal-related things.[/li][li]If you are contemplating marrying in two years, have you sat down and spoken with your fiance? How does she feel about the potential of you dropping out of the income-bearing environment to go to school for many years, all the while accruing school-related debt? Is she willing to support you for the upwards of six years or more that is required for you to become a veterinarian?[/li][li]If you do not pass your veterinarian certification process, at the worst case how much time will this take out of your process, and how much money will you owe? If your grades were fair to midling, you probably can’t guarantee full scholarships. Can you plan out how you will pay back your student loans? How will this impact your ability to buy a home? Start a family?[/li][li]Look back at when you were in school, and try to figure out why your grades were so poor. Then look at yourself now, and try to find out if you NOW possess whatever skills you think may help overcome your academic deficiencies. You’re not really starting with a totally clean slate, so to speak; you’re going to need to make sure you not only do better than before, but do better than the other students now. [DO keep in mind that persistence and enthusiasm can take you VERY far; much moreso than mere intelligence – however if you’re competing with brains AND persistance and enthusiasm…][/li][li]How many hours a week would you be putting in as a certified trader? 40? 50 hours a week? If you have considerable time (read: weekends off), could you consider taking on a unpaid position as a zoo docent, or an animal shelter volunteer on your days off? If your burning desire is to help animals, there are many animals NOW who can use your help, with the skills you currently possess. You don’t need a veterinarian degree for that.[/li][/ul]
One more thing: I heard once that on average, an adult makes major career changes seven times in a lifetime. It’s quite possible after making a 10-year commitment to veterinarianship that you will find yourself being unhappy again. Who knows? My suggestion? [As an older, wiser adult,] I’d say try to figure out what part of your current job you hate so much. Maybe you’re longing to go into veterinary school because the idea is serving as a bright light for you in your current darkness. Kind of like the girl you could never have in high school. That is, perhaps you’re in a terrible relationship now, and it makes that high school sweetheart all the more wonderful in your mind. But perhaps it’s not the high school sweetheart who is calling you, but that you simply need to dump your current partner.

Is there ANYTHING SIMILAR that you could do that’s related to your current job? Would that be better? What is it about this job you despise? Cold calls? Pushing bad stocks on people? Working with other traders? YOUR BOSS? Think hard about how you feel, and what’s causing you to feel this way. Could you feel better if you went to a different firm, but did the same thing? How about a different position in the same company?

Lots to think about, I know. I’m not trying to hold you back from staying, or leaving. What I do want you to do however, is to sit down and SERIOUSLY think this through, writing down the pros and cons and getting your true thoughts down on paper. Then I want you to sit down with your girlfriend and talk this through with her – because if you plan on being her husband, it is your responsibility to talk with her and make sure she knows what she’s getting into (especially if it involves supporting you for several years while you go back to school). You will have to save EVERY SINGLE PENNY YOU MAKE NOW, for the days when you have to survive on rice and ramen (I know; I’ve done that).

…In the meantime, I do urge you to go out and volunteer to work with animals. It will immediately help give you something wonderful to look forward to on a weekly basis, and you will feel joy from helping the animals.

6

What? Seriously? No Way. Please explain.

7

quote:

          it takes MORE years to become a vet than it does to become a physician.

     What? Seriously? No Way. Please explain.

Well, of course. To become a physician, you only need to learn ONE species. :wink:

8

Definitely go for it. And here is my advice, brush up on your chemistry, esp. organic chemistry. I’ve heard from several Animal Science majors that is the toughest set of classes in the cirriculum(spelled wrong I’m sure). Good luck.

9

Yeah, that’s what I’ve been told. I think it takes like six years to be a physician, but eight to be a veterinarian. The reason I’ve been given is that you need more training because your patient can’t complain and tell you what’s hurting. I think the extra time comes in the form of a longer internship or residency.

10

Wildlife sucks. If you go with that, you will suck too.

11

What about becoming an RVT?

http://www.avma.org/navta/default.htm

You’ll still be working with animals but it doesnt take nearly as long.

I dont know anything about which would be a better choice, but it’s just a suggestion.

12

Peppy. Listen to your heart. If this is what you want to do, then go for it. And if you decide to go for it, then get some EXPERIENCE. Nothing shines through an application like experience. Believe me, I’ve read enough applications to grad school to know that I place a lot of stock in personal experience and subsequent letters of recommendation from those the applicants have worked with. Experience shows that you know what you’re getting into, that you’re dedicated. And an evaluation from someone else about your potential abilities reads loud and clear.

See if you can find a vet or zoo or rehab place to work in, even if it is only volunteering to muck out habitats. Then ask questions. Once folks see you’re serious and involved, they will give you more to do and encourage and help you. This experience becomes golden, in so many ways.

13

What brachyrhynchos said about geting experience!!

I have a friend who in a past life was an Otis elevator repair man, is now a sea lion trainer at an oceanarium. He got the job by first starting out as a volunteer docent at the oceanarium’s education department and coming in once a week.

14

What’s more important is that there are people out there who are willing to spend the time just to share their thoughts and advice. Thank You all!!

For myself, trading and all things financial (no offence) is very unsatisfying. At the end of my life, when I look back, I want to say I’ve done something worthwhile. Cranking out a decent salary because you’re able to transact quickly, to make rich people richer, is a very empty way to make a living (my uneducated opinion). In the big scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just a system of debits and credits. For the life of me, I can’t imagine any kid wanting to grow up to be an accountant, or stockbroker or banker and analyst. It’s just something they realized they wanted to do after they saw the substantial benefits that such a profession may reward them with. Mind you, all are noble professions. As is any legal, responsible form of earning a living. However, for myself, I realized you really don’t need a large amount of money to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. There are families where the duo incomes are less than mine and they are still able to raise 3 kids, send them to university and provide all the fun things in between.

I am so fortunate. And I realize this. My thing for vet school is not a snap decision. I can certainly extrapolate the costs, both financial and time. I will have to make an all out effort or else I’ll never stop wondering what could’ve been.

I have spoken to my girlfriend and she is all for it. She just started her first year as a OB-GYN so in a couple of years, her income will be sufficient to look after our immediate financial needs. We plan to live very modest lives with lots of animals. (6 so far!!)

Even I can’t get into vet school, there are other alternative in animal care. I’ll probably pursue them.

You story about a friend finding happiness as a seal trainer was very inspiring. For that moment, anything seemed possible.

Thank you all!!!

15

It takes your undergraduate, then 4 years of medical school to become an M.D. You then go on to your residency to get board certified in a specialty, and that can last anywhere from 2-6 years, depending on the program. So I guess it takes a minimum of six years, including med school (but technically it only takes four to be a doctor).

Esprix, who knows far too much about medicine