25 and still can't make a career decision

Silent Runner

I’m going through a career change at the moment, To cut to the chase I’m in two minds as to study Veterinary Medicine, study a Masters programme (Microbiology) or a postgrad conversion course in business/accounting (not something I've an interest in).

Firstly I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in a science discipline a few years ago and since then I’ve only got contract work in a job slightly relevant to my studies. I came to the conclusion last year that I’m not very happy with this career and there's no great prospects in the job.

I always loved the idea of being a vet but when I went to secondary school the points for the course put me off. I couldn’t take an honours science subject in LC as there weren’t enough people who got an honour in JC. Anyways looking over my third level results I did a lot better in my Biology/Chemistry modules, and I did like these modules, which got me thinking to study an MSc in an applied science course. I enjoyed Microbiology in college and it's a very broad subject so it wouldn't limit me to a specific industry.

Now I’ve been doing a lot of research as to what I can do with a BSc Science degree and found out there are graduate entry programmes for Vet Med in Europe, some of which are an accelerated course (4 years) and others that accept a BSc as an entrance (for the normal 5.5-6 years) these courses are accredited in the UK and IRE. Ever since I found out about this I just can’t stop thinking about it, looking over the course modules, looking at nearest airports, cost of living in the area etc. The only problem is I’ll have to take out a loan half way through the programme. This coupled with another four years in college is a little daunting. But I think I’d really get into the course. I’ve bit of an agricultural background, I used to work on a Dairy/Beef farm before I went to college. I had a good interest in the health of the live stock and treatment remedies.

I have the usual worries of vet meds; fees/loans/debts, years of intense study/no social life. Though a lot of people would say it's a very rewarding career. Also I'm a little worried by the fact that I'll be nearly 30 if I graduated, which puts me under a bit more pressure to make a decision.

I'm getting in touch with a local vet to organise work experience/shadowing. My plan is to apply for all the above, and see if I still feel the same when/if I get an offer to any of these courses. I haven't talked to anyone about this as it all sounds absurd!:o

Do you think I'm thinking rationally here?

Sorry for the long post, but it feel great to get this off my chest and get this on writing

R.D. aka MR.D

My advice to you would be to get some really good hands on experience before deciding. Try to get it now in the Springtime as it is a very busy season for vets. Get the whole experience like being woken up at 2am to drive 20/30mins or more to a cold/wet/windy shed to calf a cow.

It's a really difficult job especially if you want to be a large animal vet. There isn't a lot of money in it really. There is more money in small animals but i know a lot of vets who don't enjoy the small animal set up and dealing with the pet owners who can be extremely demanding compared to farmers who generally have a good understanding of what a vet can and can't do realistically for their animal.

But it's not absurd to change your career especially if you think that you will really enjoy it.

Mint Aero

My advice would be think long and hard about another 4 years of college. That's a very big ask considering you've already done quite a lot. Have you considered going abroad for work? Now is the time if so.

I can't answer anything specific about your choices as they're not my field but if you're planning on being in college until you're 30 full time, you'll have to deal with things like, restricted social life, money issues, friends earning and moving up the career ladder, buying houses etc.

I'm a similar age, have done lots of college and still want to do more but I know I'm only capable of part time stuff now but that's just me. My career is very difficult to gain work too but I'm sticking with it. Sometimes I've thought about jumping ship and starting again but I know if that's my attitude what's stopping me from jumping ship when a different career choice gets difficult too?

Masters in Microbiology makes the most sense to me if as you it's broad, but whatever makes ya happy isn't it

Semele

As someone who has been working towards a dream career for years (in very low paid jobs with no guarantee of getting into the professional training course that I needed and am thankfully now on), I'd say go with V.Med. I'll be over 30 when I qualify in 2 years time and my career will really only be starting then, but I'd rather know that I'll be doing what I love for many more years than have gone with one of my plan B's and maybe be wondering every few years whether I should have a stab at the dream job again.

So you would have to put off things like saving, buying a house etc... I would see this as being worth the payoff. Once qualified you have a professional qualification that presumably pays well and there's all the time in the world to catch up. I'd see your lack of a mortgage etc now as something that leaves you wonderfully free to make the right choice for you. If you were having this dilemma while also having existing financial/relationship/location ties then you would be so much more limited and the stakes involved would be significantly higher.

30 isn't old- you'll have your whole life to do other things- and time spent doing something that you're passionate about is never wasted. Don't be put off by the length of the course if it's financially do-able.

afterglow

Hi OP
As someone who is 26, and only now just deciding what under graduate degree I want to do, I'm going to echo what the last poster said.
If VM is what you want to do, if it's your passion, I would say go for it. How will you feel in a few years time if you do something different? I would say, from the way you describe your enthusiasm and wanting to be a vet, that you will probably regret it. My advice to you is to do it if at all possible.
It is better to do more college and be happy in your job later, than stay in a job where you are not happy, or do something in college that you are only kind of passionate about and do a job you don't like.
Ultimately of course, the decision is yours, just my 2 cents.
Hope whatever you decide works out for you.

Silent Runner

Thanks, well I'm a little surprised my idea doesn't sound that crazy

Yeah that really is the crux of the matter, another 4-5.5 years could be too much. Though I would love to be one of those people who really love their careers. I'm going to spend as much time as I can getting work experience with vets in large and small animal practices. I'd actually prefer to work with small animals to be honest, I always thought that was the glamorous part of veterinary.

I'm not too interested in traveling, besides going to Europe to study vet med, I've also applied for MSc programmes in the UK, I'd be happy to live in the UK. I'd possibly consider Canada

Actually when I think of it, most of the people I talk to normally got settled in their full time job were in their 30's.

I think I'm going to apply for both fields, study/brush up on my Chemistry/biology all the while, and see what offers I get.

Thanks again

chefwes

Silent Runner wrote: »

Thanks, well I'm a little surprised my idea doesn't sound that crazy

Yeah that really is the crux of the matter, another 4-5.5 years could be too much. Though I would love to be one of those people who really love their careers. I'm going to spend as much time as I can getting work experience with vets in large and small animal practices. I'd actually prefer to work with small animals to be honest, I always thought that was the glamorous part of veterinary.

I'm not too interested in traveling, besides going to Europe to study vet med, I've also applied for MSc programmes in the UK, I'd be happy to live in the UK. I'd possibly consider Canada

Actually when I think of it, most of the people I talk to normally got settled in their full time job were in their 30's.

I think I'm going to apply for both fields, study/brush up on my Chemistry/biology all the while, and see what offers I get.

Thanks again

Follow your heart my friend I just got E;s in school so your way smarter than me just be true to yourself and ul come to the right decision

fits

Follow your passion. Qualifying by thirty is ok. Big shortage of good small animal vets in the country.

Stavro Mueller

If it's what you want, then it'll be something you'll not regret in the long run. The way I see it, you will probably have a working life of 30+ years ahead of you. Why not spend them doing something you like rather than have questions and regrets? So what if it sets you back a few years in terms of getting your career going and your finances. You only have one life so it's up to you to make it as enjoyable as you can

DEFTLEFTHAND

Just to echo previous posters if it's what you want go for it, don't be put off by more time spent in college, it will be a worthy investment and at 30 you'll be at a good age starting out imo. You could have 40 plus years ahead of you in the profession.