I have nothing to show for myself

lisajane

Im 26 and we're into another year which i cant face the end of it again.

I have nothing to show for what i did. I have been to college. But i only went for the sake of it. At 17 finishing school, i had no idea what i wanted to do for the rest of my life. Spent 3 years doing something and came out it and i didn't want it as a career.

Other people i went to school and college with went of travelling after college. Where did people get their money from to go travelling for years straight after college? They've been places and im still stuck in a dead in job with people i hate and i can honestly say i dont know what il like to do.

I tried for the past 2 years to get some work. There is 1 thing i always wanted to do and work with animals. I sent of my cv to alot of places, offering to do voluntary work and im not getting anything. I got letters back saying my cv is on file but that was it. I didn't even get letters back from some of them.
Even after watching dr phil one morning and they were saying that fat people dont get places half as much as skinny people. I lost 5 stone.

I would like to do veterinary nursing in college but to apply i have to have some experience with a vet. How can get the experience if they dont give it to me?

Im doing a home study course in animal care from a scottish agriculture college. It will show employers that i am interested in doing the work. And that can be upgraded to a proper qualification if i find work in scotland. So lately i have been thinking of doing that.

Im thinking now that maybe its time to start thinking of doing other things besides animals. But i honestly have know idea what. It is getting so depressing. I cant face another year of this.

00112984

You lost five stone after watching Dr. Phil?! God, I'd kill for your motivation! Seriously- well done.

Have you approached any animal shelters to volunteer with them? Even popping in a few times a week and taking a few dogs out will add some experience to your CV. If you built up a solid reputation with a shelter, they would probably allow you to assist with other bits too- vet visits etc.

There are a few people over on the animal and pets forum who are involved with or run shelters. Maybe start a thread over there and they might be able to give you advice on how to best approach the matter?

jim o doom

lisajane wrote: »

Im 26 and we're into another year which i cant face the end of it again.

I have nothing to show for what i did. I have been to college. But i only went for the sake of it. At 17 finishing school, i had no idea what i wanted to do for the rest of my life. Spent 3 years doing something and came out it and i didn't want it as a career.

Other people i went to school and college with went of travelling after college. Where did people get their money from to go travelling for years straight after college? They've been places and im still stuck in a dead in job with people i hate and i can honestly say i dont know what il like to do.

I tried for the past 2 years to get some work. There is 1 thing i always wanted to do and work with animals. I sent of my cv to alot of places, offering to do voluntary work and im not getting anything. I got letters back saying my cv is on file but that was it. I didn't even get letters back from some of them.
Even after watching dr phil one morning and they were saying that fat people dont get places half as much as skinny people. I lost 5 stone.

I would like to do veterinary nursing in college but to apply i have to have some experience with a vet. How can get the experience if they dont give it to me?

Im doing a home study course in animal care from a scottish agriculture college. It will show employers that i am interested in doing the work. And that can be upgraded to a proper qualification if i find work in scotland. So lately i have been thinking of doing that.

Im thinking now that maybe its time to start thinking of doing other things besides animals. But i honestly have know idea what. It is getting so depressing. I cant face another year of this.

One thing I'd be saying is "don't lose hope".
I dropped out of two college courses (both subjects I was good at; art & computers) because the college basically BORED me out of the subjects. I've never seen anything I'd like to do as a full time job..
What I'm trying to say is; you know what you want to do. Work with animals, and that's your dream. mine is being a martial arts instructor, which I think I have at least another 2 or 3 years ahead of me before it becomes possible.
Just keep doing stuff to work towards your dream, you have a degree from college, which is something that shows you can do the work even if you arn't interested; so HOW MUCH could you be capable of, if it is something that you are really interested in? a hell of a lot more I would say
You may still have a few years of slog before you get where you want, but I'm 28 with no degree and I'm still working towards that dream.. don't lose hope, you will find something, all you need is patience

LegacyUser

My girlfriend was in the same boat as you.

What she did was a 1 year course in Limerick, not sure where, in Animal Studies. It wasn't very good but there was work placement.

From this she was able to get a job and then a place in UCD.

Be warned though, veterinary nursing is tough with long hours and bad pay. You have to really want to do it.

Tells

Life's a struggle sometimes. It will only make you stronger!!

Drop into some of these animal shelters.

Hound them.. Pardon the pun

I'm sure you've heard this http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

bugsntinas

i don't usually reply to these ads but don't give up hope.i'm 42 and i know what you're going thru.i left school at 16 in uk with out a clue.ma said back to school or a job.went on a training scheme and totally enjoyed it.left that and nothing.looking for and applying for jobs got nowhere.eventually something came up.done it for 5 years then nothing again.you just have to take each day as it comes.there will be boring times and depressing times but you will get there in the end.have you tried advertising yourself as a dog walker or dog sitter anything to get involved with animals if that is your desire.i was lucky as i love driving but there i didn't always get what i wanted.good luck in your search.

popecatapetal

If it's any consolation, I'm in a similar sort of situation, only slightly reversed. I'm nearly finished doing a zoology degree in college, and a few months ago I got sick, developed asthma, hayfever and animal allergies. Yup, I'm going to be a zoologist who's allergic to animals! So, I'd love to be in your situation - at least you're able to work with what you love...

anniehoo

lisajane wrote: »

Im 26
I have nothing to show for what i did.

You're still so young dont stress yourself out by trying to "keep up with the jones". You're at a perfect age for a career change and i know plenty of people alot older than yourself who are doing it too. Dont preoccupy yourself with what other people have and are doing. Ive learned not to judge a book by its cover as peoples lives are rarely as perfect as they may seem.

wrote:

I would like to do veterinary nursing in college but to apply i have to have some experience with a vet. How can get the experience if they dont give it to me?

Heres the link to the UCD course http://www.ucd.ie/agandvet/veterinary%20nursing.htm and Dundalk IT http://www.qualifax.ie/?Mainsec=courses&Subsec=course_details&ID=33714
As far as im aware, you need a practice to take you on while you study this course as you need to complete practical elements. You dont need much previous experience as your chosen practice will be your study ground. This course also accepts mature students so give them a call.

wrote:

Im doing a home study course in animal care from a scottish agriculture college. It will show employers that i am interested in doing the work.

I dont call this "nothing to show for myself". You've motivated yourself enough to start a home study course. You're given yourself a starting block already,many people wouldnt even be bothered furthering their education like that.

Unregistered wrote: »

Be warned though, veterinary nursing is tough with long hours and bad pay. You have to really want to do it.

I agree here but it is a ridiculously rewarding job if you love animals. It is tough no bones about it but i know alot of vet nurses who wouldnt swap their job in a million years.

Other animal related jobs:
-start your own pet sitting business
-set up boarding kennels
-volunteer overseas for wildlife organisations
-pet food/accessories/medical rep

Theres so many avenues in the pet industry to work in you just have to broaden your horizons, stay positive (hard in this credit busting times) and keep up with the studies!;)

Kidchameleon

OP Worte:

"Im thinking now that maybe its time to start thinking of doing other things besides animals"

Never give up on your dreams,

Good Luck

muboop1

Kidchameleon wrote: »

OP Worte:

"Im thinking now that maybe its time to start thinking of doing other things besides animals"

Never give up on your dreams,

Good Luck

i totaly agree with this!

OP your dream is attainable! it will prob be hard but its possible... do you realy want to give all that up?
you lost 5 stone because of what dr phil said, you clearly have the motivation like! the colleges say they need experience, fair enough have you approached the college asking what type of experience they like or do they have any reccomendations that past students done to get into the course etc?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Volunteer to help out at your local vet's for a few hours a week, get him to give you a reference. Can you do vet studies as a mature student?

Even if you don't make it professionally, it doesn't mean you have to give up on it. You can still work with animals voluntarily (I presume) on the saide while having a regular job.

unhappycamper

lisajane wrote: »

Im 26 and we're into another year which i cant face the end of it again.

I have nothing to show for what i did. I have been to college. But i only went for the sake of it. At 17 finishing school, i had no idea what i wanted to do for the rest of my life. Spent 3 years doing something and came out it and i didn't want it as a career.

Other people i went to school and college with went of travelling after college. Where did people get their money from to go travelling for years straight after college? They've been places and im still stuck in a dead in job with people i hate and i can honestly say i dont know what il like to do.

I tried for the past 2 years to get some work. There is 1 thing i always wanted to do and work with animals. I sent of my cv to alot of places, offering to do voluntary work and im not getting anything. I got letters back saying my cv is on file but that was it. I didn't even get letters back from some of them.
Even after watching dr phil one morning and they were saying that fat people dont get places half as much as skinny people. I lost 5 stone.

I would like to do veterinary nursing in college but to apply i have to have some experience with a vet. How can get the experience if they dont give it to me?

Im doing a home study course in animal care from a scottish agriculture college. It will show employers that i am interested in doing the work. And that can be upgraded to a proper qualification if i find work in scotland. So lately i have been thinking of doing that.

Im thinking now that maybe its time to start thinking of doing other things besides animals. But i honestly have know idea what. It is getting so depressing. I cant face another year of this.

Sorry to hear you are feeling down Lisa. Sending off letters is essentialy a waste of time. Drop out in person to these places and eventually someone will stop and listen and offer you something, people like get up and go ers! Not e-mailers and letter posters!