Becoming a verterinarian

scotty,hmk · 06-09-2007, 03:10 PM

I've heard it's hard to become a veterinarian. I am only in high school but have been interested in that career every since I heard, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I think that if you don't know someone in that field of work, it's hard to start out. Being a vet is really all I want to do and it pays good once you are started out. I am told that a lot of people can't make it and drop out of verterinay school. I really need some positive put-in. Is it really that hard of a career to pursue?

iwantmypup · 06-09-2007, 03:13 PM

Yeah I heard it is tough to pursue.. i want to be one too.
here are some good sites:
http://www.talktothevet.com/faqvetcareer.HTM
http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Veterinarian
and here is a list of vet schools
http://www.aavmc.org/students_admiss...et_schools.htm

good lcuk!

scotty,hmk · 06-09-2007, 03:24 PM

Thank you!
Well this kind of confirms that it's hard, I hope not too hard though, I'm up for it...i hope.

iwantmypup · 06-09-2007, 03:28 PM

You're Welcome!

Yeah.. it's hard...I hope you are up for it!And me too!..but I don't know if I could deal with euthanasia... ooh..

scotty,hmk · 06-09-2007, 03:35 PM

Well good luck to you, I hope you make it. That would be nice, another person making the career.
Yeah I don't really like that part of the job either, but you only do it if it's best for the animal, so that makes it easier. I think it would be well worth the job.

iwantmypup · 06-09-2007, 03:37 PM

Thanks! Yeah thats totally true , I think that even though there are some animals you can't save , the animals you can.. wow that must be such a great feeling!

lovemygreys · 06-09-2007, 05:10 PM

The education involved in becoming a vet is definitely challenging. I just watched my sister in law go through and graduate from vet school (NC State which has a very competitive program). She studied pretty much ALL the time (she also teetered between 1st and 2d in her class). If we were all watching a movie or hanging out after dinner, she'd be in the other room studying.

You should prepare yourself now, starting in high school. Get great grades, go to a great undergraduate school and graduate at the top of your class to increase your chances of getting into vet school, which is extremely competitive.

Starting pay as a vet is not very high...and most vet students leave vet school with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans...some close to six figures if you count their undergraduate degree.

But, if it's what your passion is, then no obstacle is unsurmountable. I think you should sit down and talk with a vet and find out from them first hand what vet school and post-graduate life is like.

...my sister in law is actually now working on her PhD in....something with a big long fancy name...she's going into research and will make BIG bucks one day. Much more than a practicing vet. I will also get to bug the crap out of her and call her Doctor Doctor

briteday · 06-09-2007, 08:20 PM

Take lots of science and math in high school. Take as much biology and chemistry as you can.

The job...very long and competitive educational path, long hours, low pay, continual education requirements to keep your license, and...my daughter just interviewed our vet for her career assignment...having an animal die under anesthesia for no reason during an elective procedure like dental cleaning...he said it hurts inside for weeks.

scotty,hmk · 06-09-2007, 08:49 PM

Haha lovemygreys, you love that sister of yours, don't you. I realize that the starting won't be very great, but most good jobs you can't just start off rich in. I hope I get good enough grades, I am in the top of my class, just not THE top of the class. I know about science and math. I am taking all science and took 9th grade algebra in 8th grade so I could take 5 years of math instead of 4. Science is easy enough, I got 100 in that, so I'm set with that I hope. I do need to work on studying because I can usually get by with not. I can handle the long hours, I know it's competitive, that's the hard part. I've had to let animals go and it does hurt, but it's not your fault, so that's fine.

Thanks everyone! I really really want to only do this, so I'm gonna try.

SunSiberians · 06-09-2007, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty,hmk

Haha lovemygreys, you love that sister of yours, don't you. I realize that the starting won't be very great, but most good jobs you can't just start off rich in. I hope I get good enough grades, I am in the top of my class, just not THE top of the class. I know about science and math. I am taking all science and took 9th grade algebra in 8th grade so I could take 5 years of math instead of 4. Science is easy enough, I got 100 in that, so I'm set with that I hope. I do need to work on studying because I can usually get by with not. I can handle the long hours, I know it's competitive, that's the hard part. I've had to let animals go and it does hurt, but it's not your fault, so that's fine.

Thanks everyone! I really really want to only do this, so I'm gonna try.

It sounds like you're off to a good start. No matter how difficult some thing so obtain - if you love it enough you will succeed! Good luck! I think it would also be helpful to get a job working at a vet clinic, even if it's just cleaning out the kennels - that way you get submerged in the vet "culture" and develop contacts and sources.

Curbside Prophet · 06-10-2007, 02:09 AM

If you have the passion for it, the work and the early struggle will be forgotten once you're successful and fueled by your passion. What's that old expression?...shoot for the moon, and if you miss, at least you'll be among the stars.

MagicToller · 06-10-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

shoot for the moon, and if you miss, at least you'll be among the stars.

..but shoot for the stars, and you'll land on your, well. Yeah.

Exposure is crutial when you're in either middle or highschool - alot of people say they would like to become Veterinarians but have not been lucky enough to be exposed to any scenarios like a job or an internship that would give them a little more insight as to the day-in-the-life-of. Imagine my reaction when they told us our highschool was opening a pre-vet academy. Just like you, I'd ALWAYS said I wanted to become a Vet, but was never %100 sure until I got into my school's Vet academy and really got involved. I began doing duel-inrollment at a local college to get a jump start on pre-requisites and now I'm working on my Associates in Sciences degree to get into University.. but apart from that, I've worked hands on with countless dogs and cats, and not to mention raccoons, horses, goats, snakes, and other critters because our Teacher and chapter advisor is a wildlife rehabilitator. Moral of the story is, chose your path and go for it - try to volunteer at a Vet's office, get great grades in highschool so that you can do duel enrollment and take 4 years of Math and Science.

..our horse vet at school had to clean a university's stable for an entire year before they accepted him. Just goes to show you how some people really don't care what's infront of them, if you want something bad enough.

My ultimate goal is opening my own practice, which is going to take an incredible amount of blood, sweat and tears as well as years of experience and some help from friends

..working for corporate chains doesn't earn you much money, but when you are fresh out of Vet School - it's a start.

Good luck with everything

scotty,hmk · 06-10-2007, 12:33 PM

Ok, again thanks
Right now, since it's summer, I'm trying to get a job or vollunteer at a place with animals. The problem is that I live in a small town and there are only a few vet offices around in other towns. They are small, so wouldn't need much help. I might be able to help at a grooming or kennel place. I'm still working on it...good luck with your goal MagicToller!