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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316
| cooper08 - 2014-05-06 7:53 AM I am a lawyer---but being a lawyer is NOTHING like being a college student or even a law student. Shadow a vet and really talk to quite a few. The schooling part is just an obstacle....but if you don't LOVE shadowing the vet (including the long hours, emergency calls, weather conditions, cleaning cages when understaffed, etc) then find something you do enjoy. My dad is a vet and his biggest complaint about vet grads are they don't know how to work and want to be a "vet" but don't know or want to actually do the back work involved. It takes a long time to get to the head honcho position but if you love it then it doesn't seem like work. That all being said- I became a lawyer because I always wanted to be a lawyer and loved it. I teetered for a bit, rodeoed and then decided that a steady income that didn't beat the crud out of me each day was a better life. And I wanted to one day be able to afford my horses. I LOVE the law and the puzzle to each case. BUT- don't do something around horses because you love horses and ag. Do something that you enjoy that will be able to provide you the opportunities and finances to enjoy the horses and ag. Many people go through a bunch of school for equine something or another degrees only to find out that they are worthless when it comes to getting a paycheck. Keep a running list of pros and cons for the next month. Each day write a few more- doesn't matter if they overlap or repeat. At the end of a month- or even two weeks- I think you will figure out which way you lean. A pro/con list is easily swayed if you do it only on one day. And do the shadow- but do it all.....don't just follow around...clean cages, walk the dogs, and do both small and large animal. HOrses are fun but hard work and a hard industry to break into as a vet because we all have our old faithful trusted vet and don't change often. Small animal is easier work and pay MUCH better....often with better hours for you to have your horses on the side.
WOW!! This is great advice...took a lot of words right out of my mouth. I agree with doing something that affords you to be able to do what you love. If you can find something that you like to do for a career that will allow you to make good wages to enjoy horses, etc. that's the way to go. That's what I did. There are days I'd prefer to be doing "vet" work or training horses like my Grandpa did rather than sitting in an office doing accounting work, but then the days that are over 100 degrees or it's pouring rain or snowing, I'm pretty happy to have the desk job.
And also what Cooper said about having to put in the time and hard work to be the "head cheese" is correct in any industry...just because you graduate with a degree doesn't mean the work is over. You have to continue learning real world experiences and proving yourself before you just become a big wig in no matter what industry you go into.
Another comment...don't get discouraged by the difficultly of school work. I was terrible at math in HS, but ended up with a BS in accounting. My family didn't think I'd make it because I wasn't good at math, but I did. I changed my major about 5 times; don't rush things...if you need to take a little break rather than rushing into something...do it. Also, I'm jealous of Cooper...I wanted to be a lawyer, but didn't think I could "hack" it. Don't let that stop you...that's one regret I have.
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
   
Location: Texas | Oh and I used to think I wanted to train horses on the side all my life… no thanks, not anymore. After getting my bell rung and going to the ER, panicking over the fact I forgot all my final grades for my spring Semester and fearing that I lost memories of vet school- you can forget it. SO GLAD I chose vet school.
and Cooper08 is right about small versus large animal- that is true. For me I still have that passion for equine medicine, hasn't left after first year, which means my odds of riding a lot and competing after school are slimmer than if I would do small animal medicine. But at this point, I'm still all over equine medicine. I've already got my friends in on it and lined up to futurity my babies for me if I can't :P | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| Thank you everyone for all of the advice! It's difficult really trying to make a big decision. I'll continue to think and try and find the best thing for me...we shall see! | |
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| Also, let me add that I'm not really looking for the "prestige" by getting respect from others, etc but mine's more about having it for myself if that makes sense? Anyways, I really appreciate all of your responses and I'm seriously taking them all to heart and considering what you all said about some things! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | I was in your shoes not too long ago. I had wanted to be a vet my entire life. I shadowed vets and even picked my college partly based on it having a great vet school. I always made good grades and did well in the animal science classes, but my sophomore year I took basic chemistry and really struggled. I started thinking about whether or not I really wanted to be a vet. I soon decided to switch to Animal Science/Ag Communications, which I LOVED, but after doing internships I decided that I didn't really want to do those jobs. I graduated and went back to school to get my master's in education and now I'm a teacher. I absolutely love what I do it just took some soul searching, internships, and classes to figure it all out. Go with your gut and what type of career you think would make you happy. Look at the good and the bad (hours, pay, job stress, work environment) that you would get with whatever major/career path you choose and go from there. Good luck!! | |
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Expert
Posts: 1304
| Thank you so much for the advice! I feel it really does take some soul searching...I need to pray about it more too. I can honestly say that prayer has always helped me and God finds a way to guide me! Just had to throw that out there so people know how strong it is :) | |
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