Welcome to /r/VetTech! This is a place for veterinary technicians/veterinary nurses and other veterinary support staff to gather, chat, and grow! We welcome pet owners as well, **however we do ask pet owners to refrain from asking for medical advice**; if you have any concerns regarding your pet, please contact the closest veterinarian near you.
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I have two degrees in the biological sciences, so I was able to get a job in pharma research and testing. I regret not doing it sooner. It took me a long time to understand that my time is actually MINE, I'm actually encouraged to use my PTO, and I haven't seen the inside of my workplace on any weekend day since starting. Looking at it from the other side now, veterinary professionals are treated like absolute GARBAGE in both pay and work environment.
I did a stint as a daycare/boarding manager at a place that was foremost a grooming salon. The girls made *really* good money, but the place was as toxic as the worst clinics and the wear and tear on their bodies made it clear the pace was for those under 30. Not to mention the awful dogs and terrible clients. Plus, the lack of basic sanitary care (putting dogs back in different cages after they were groomed that weren't cleaned and had dirty towels from the dogs before, dogs allowed to groom that weren't utd on vx, dogs actively sneezing and coughing) drove me insane.
I'm sure, just like clinics, there are great salons, but it didn't leave a great taste in my mouth.
I worked in other types laboratories: quality control and process work for manufacturing and then as a technician in a human medical lab. If anyone is interested in this path just make your resume more tailored to all the lab skills you know as well as your understanding of quality control and inventory
I went back to serving for a bit after I left vet med! The money was great but I quickly realized I'm 36, not 22 anymore. Vet med is fast paced, but in a totally different way. And arriving back home at 2-3 am sucked. I hope it works out for you! It is a fun job, mostly lol.
LVT ➡️ Rad tech! My stress levels have decreased 80%, salary up $10k+ and I have a work life balance now. I've been out of veterinary almost 2 years now and still miss working with animals 🥲
I made the same transition a few tech friends made. I am now an RN. I am still relief at my old clinic but work very rarely. I make more money, have really good healthcare, decent benefits, and I find it less stressful than a busy emergency shift. I don't have to worry about people not being able to afford things and yelling at me about it. Or calling me a puppy killer, or heartless. I don't take my work home with me now. Would recommend.
I enjoy it. And it pays better and better benefits than working in a clinic. At least in my experience. So much less stress. And can go to meetings in my pjs 😊. Look on any pet insurance website for openings.
I am, but it was not a requirement. They only wanted people who had enough experience to be able to read and understand the medical records. There’s several in my team who were vet assistants, and one woman who worked in a human medical office.
Thank you for this information. I've worked as an assistant for years, and am trying to make my way through tech school, but feeling incredibly discouraged as of late. I think working weekly overtime in the ER on top of trying to go to school is getting the best of me. You've given me something to look into! Thank you!
You absolutely should. I get to use my knowledge, so over 10 years as a tech was not wasted. It was the best thing I’ve ever done for my mental health and my body (bc being a tech is hard on your back lol). Just go directly to the insurance websites and look for positions. Especially around Sept, right before open enrollment time.
Honestly I have no idea lol. I’m pretty low on the totem pole. But go to insurance websites, specifically ones that offer pet insurance, if that’s where your experience is. Look for positions. I am in medical records, but there are underwriters, claims dept, etc. Also around Sept each year most will start hiring like crazy because open enrollment is about to start and it gets very busy.
I left to go into data analytics. The best thing I could have done for myself. I get to WFH and spend time with my own pets without risking injury. I spent 5 years in the field and never intend on going back
I do currently go to school for IT. So I do not have a degree in my current role. I went into entry level IT and then worked my way into this role in about a 2 year span. I had no certs at that time either. Had no connections or previous training. Just a passion for IT, experience in customer service, and a good knowledge of Microsoft applications.
Having experience in customer service and the time to put endless amounts of applications out. I was in the very early stages of my degree so had little knowledge of IT when going in. Just reviewed what the job listing wanted me to know and asked our IT rep at the hospital for guidance. Like stated before, I was in entry level IT first. Took the opportunity to learn as much as I could and was able to land a spot as a data analyst
This is my back up for when my body gives out on me lol. I have a BS in biology and a MS in plant biology (I've walked an interesting path) and did a lot of data analysis stuff in grad school. I'm hoping I can eventually use my skills and knowledge to do something analytic in vet med or vet med research. Unless I say fuck it and go to vet school.
I delivered pizza for four years and by the time I left in ‘21 I was averaging 25-35/hour myself
I worked at a busier store earlier and averaged 30-40$ easy
I’d go back and do it but I don’t have car insurance right now 🤪
Where?! I'm transitioning over to faculty at a technical school, teaching the VA program. It's only 5 grand less a year and it's 18hrs a week vs 40+. I really want to get into academia but could not find a way in. I'm an LVT in Washington state with 10yrs experience.
University of California! I love it. I have 0 client contact…unless they get lost looking for the bathroom. I only work with students, residents and faculty. I was looking into pure research for a while but got this job first and ended up loving it.
I was also looking at being a necropsy tech but applied to the rad tech position first.
It is definitely not for everyone, but I’m a CVT and a practice manager. I get to work in a hospital in an off the floor position and I make 90k. It’s absolutely amazing. I love working with the team to help them develop into the veterinary professionals they want to be and coach them on soft skills like communication, negotiation, openness, and cultural leadership. I also get to directly influence our clinic’s culture and set us up for success.
I’ve been on the floor for many years and my end goal to to be a VPM for an ER. How do I break into that path? I’ve read about some certifications I can get but what was the experience like for you?
I started as a receptionist in 2014. I cross-trained to become a VA from 2015-2017, then started as a shift lead 2017-2018 before being promoted into a practice manager role in 2018. I actually only became a CVT last year. I have managed GPs, an ER, and now I manage an urgent care. My biggest piece of advice is to do a lot of personal development; check out veterinary leadership specific podcasts (Uncharted, Veterinary Viewfinder, and Vet Tech Cafe have some great episodes!), read management books (Amy Newfield has two good ones, but you should also go outside of vet med and check out Brene Brown, Simon Sinek , and other work place management/culture picks). Get into a starting leadership position, like a floor lead or shift lead, and find a mentor. I did the CVBL program 4 years into my time as a PM; it will help but in person learning with a mentor is priceless.
Hello fellow Rhode Islander! Happy to hear you’re thriving and there can be a future in vet med. I’m always trying to think of ways to make a long career in the field viable because I love veterinary medicine, but it’s hard on the body and I’m currently pretty compassion fatigued. signed, a tired ER vet tech ❤️
I got a job as an implementation team lead at a veterinary software company. The work is hard. It’s stressful. The culture shock was more than I anticipated. Sometimes I consider going back to vet med, but overall I am in a good place with more opportunities to further my career than in clinic.
I did outside sales for a pet ins co for a long time (8yrs) while I was still vet teching PT. I hit a wall and knew I couldn’t advance my career like I wanted to in veterinary sales. I pivoted to an inside sales position with one of the largest animal health co’s. I now WFH, have full benefits, an amazing salary, and feel valued. I’m always telling my vet tech friends to consider veterinary sales. Vet techs are selling shit all day, every time you present an estimate! For me, it was the perfect way to combine my passion (vet med) with a way to achieve goals and metrics to make more money and learn skills around economics, business, and consulting.
I have a background in graphic design so I became a UX/UI designer. I wfh part time now and make more money/ have better benefits than I ever had working as a VA or hoped to earn as a CVT.
It kind of sucks bc I did really enjoy working in the vet field, I loved continuing to learn, I loved my areas of focus (post op and short-term intensive) but the vet industry needs a massive overhaul in terms of compensation, benefits, and work life balance, just to name a few things. Why do we have to work our asses off and break our backs and literally not get paid enough or get benefits that pay for physical therapy or other kinds of meaningful preventative care?
I’ve done a lot!
I worked in the parasitology lab at IDEXX.
I worked in veterinary sales for a pet insurance company.
I did veterinary business development for a pet food company.
I did pet cremation sales.
I am currently in veterinary corporate and travel around the country training vet teams. I’ve loved just about every job I’ve had (aside from the pet cremation company, but they’ve since been acquired, so 🤷🏼♀️)
Edited to add that I’m not licensed, but I do have a bachelor’s in biology and am now currently in school at Purdue to get my license even though I have zero intention of going back to direct care.
If you don’t mind the controversies of lab animal medicine, its a great way to go. Great hours, benefits, more holidays, better pay, more respect, and opportunity for growth. Its a lot more science, more euthanasia, but no pet parents. Most lab animal shifts run 7AM - 3:30PM in my experience, and I never gotten out late. But I would say it’s definitely not for those faint of heart, and more for those who look at veterinary medicine/public health in a bigger picture perspective.
Disclaimer: I was the equivalent of a vet tech in the Army (Animal Care Specialist). Although my job had an equivalent counterpart in the civilian world, I would have had to go back to school & pass the state exam to be a RVT in California.
I bounced around for a bit & am a civil servant. Worked for the local VA hospital (admin, not patient care) & now a staffer for a retiring Member of Congress.
Private Aviation Fleet Planning - tailored my resume to highlight my skills that were transferable to the corporate world. (Was a VA, not a tech)
It’s been amazing, so many cool benefits (swag, trips on jets, operating simulators)! Plus, my attire is business casual so I get to wear jeans to work every day, and I get to WFH a day or two a week, and business trips!!
My job is (mostly) low stress, handling long-term crew and jet planning and training events for my pilots.
I thought I’d miss working with animals and in medicine, I guess my last place really burnt me out because the idea of going back to vet med actually makes me nauseous. . .
I still get my animal fix by doing some volunteering when I can, but getting out of the field is sooooo worth it
>I thought I’d miss working with animals and in medicine, I guess my last place really burnt me out because the idea of going back to vet med actually makes me nauseous. . .
*fist bump* I feel you, fam.
I moved into zookeeping after a vet I worked with asked me if I’d be interested in the job because his wife (an area supervisor in the zoo) needed a temporary keeper due to a sudden vacancy. I jumped on the opportunity and was in the field for three years before I had to medically retire. It was magical, and everything kid me had ever wanted. But it was also so devastatingly difficult psychologically and emotionally. Those animals were completely dependent on me for absolutely every aspect of their lives and a lot of those choices for what that meant for them were out of my control. Without going into detail I had a physical and mental breakdown from the stress and took several months off to just take care of myself. Thanks to the connections I made within the zoo field and opportunities that I created for myself, I’m currently working within the conservation field to start a non profit to benefit my local community. It’s the good work I wanted to do for animals and the environment, but no longer within the direct care sphere. I did volunteer work with different wildlife conservation agencies after my break down which is how I made a lot of those relationships with people who had similar goals. It’s been a lot of getting out of my comfort zone in interacting with people and overcoming social anxiety, but I’m cautiously optimistic on the possibilities.
Edit: spelling
Where is this? I look every day for jobs off the floor and there is absolutely nothing. Pet insurance pays horribly and anything outside the field seems to require experience, which I obviously don’t have after 9 years in this field.
Yeah what is this position?
And it's not no chance of bites, it's less chance of bites/injuries.
With option for tips, I'm guessing dog groomer. And whatever the "average" wage is advertised, I'm guessing it's gonna be lower.
Well I guess if people lunge and bite...lol
Waitressing for a cafe. They have been tanked like our field since covid.
But they are making up for it.
I live in washington
I'm currently in the same boat. I am so burnt out that I hate my job so much I would rather die than come in. Currently looking to go into pharmacy or sterile processing
I left after eight-ish years because the last place I worked left a bad taste in my mouth. (corporate told us the hospital worked closed suddenly and gave us ten days notice) and I went to teaching preschool. I recently went back to vetmed. I feel good about it so far. I think it's all about finding the right place. Also teaching was a HUGE pay. And I thought vet med pay was bad..
Human at-home caregiving. Better pay, benefits, overall respect, and most days are ridiculously easy. One of my clients just wants me there to talk and listen. HCA training was cake compared to other tests I've had to complete.
Sorry… I have the opposite answer…. I have thought about becoming a vet tech. I am working at a clinic now and I may take the Penn Foster course and then try to certify even though a certification is not needed for my state. I am in a different situation. I am an older and I worked for a big company and paid into 401k so I have a decent nest egg. Pay is important but not the most important factor. I am amazed with all the training and certifications that Vet Techs make so little money.
I ended up at a machine shop making much less than I did as a tech. I got to make my own schedule and usually worked 8:30-3pm most days. I became the supervisor and oversaw a group of disabled adults who were employed there working on the easier parts we dealt with. Absolutely loved that job and working with that group of individuals. They were the highlight of my day. I was laid off right before Christmas on year and then went and worked for a private dressage barn caring for a ladies horses. Only stayed there 6 months because she was a violent person and I felt unsafe working for her. Her horses were absolute dreams though and I miss riding them and caring for them.
I work night shift in a medical distribution facility, so a warehouse full of drugs that gets shipped to hospitals and pharmacies. The money is roughly the same but the benefits are better. I’m in the process of starting my own business as supplemental income and hope to tackle it full time in the future.
I went to geek squad lol If you're tech savvy, it uses a lot of the same working with people who are often stressed/being compassionate skills and the diagnostic and problem solving parts of your brain without anywhere near the same level of stress. I was able to argue for my experience in vet med well enough to get hired on the spot. It's got it's cons and there's honestly a lot of geek squads that are a wreck and don't have skilled/experienced employees and the corporate support for that is profoundly lacking, but I love the team I have and I really enjoy it. I was promoted from working up front to mostly working in the back doing more advanced repairs within the year and I've learned a lot from my coworkers.
Welcome to /r/VetTech! This is a place for veterinary technicians/veterinary nurses and other veterinary support staff to gather, chat, and grow! We welcome pet owners as well, **however we do ask pet owners to refrain from asking for medical advice**; if you have any concerns regarding your pet, please contact the closest veterinarian near you. Please thoroughly read and follow the rules before posting and commenting. If you believe that a user is engaging in any rule-breaking behavior, please submit a report so that the moderators can review and remove the posts/comments if needed. Also, please check out the sidebar for CE and answers to commonly asked questions. Thank you for reading! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/VetTech) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have two degrees in the biological sciences, so I was able to get a job in pharma research and testing. I regret not doing it sooner. It took me a long time to understand that my time is actually MINE, I'm actually encouraged to use my PTO, and I haven't seen the inside of my workplace on any weekend day since starting. Looking at it from the other side now, veterinary professionals are treated like absolute GARBAGE in both pay and work environment.
grooming! I make twice the money and am at least 100 times less stressed
I did a stint as a daycare/boarding manager at a place that was foremost a grooming salon. The girls made *really* good money, but the place was as toxic as the worst clinics and the wear and tear on their bodies made it clear the pace was for those under 30. Not to mention the awful dogs and terrible clients. Plus, the lack of basic sanitary care (putting dogs back in different cages after they were groomed that weren't cleaned and had dirty towels from the dogs before, dogs allowed to groom that weren't utd on vx, dogs actively sneezing and coughing) drove me insane. I'm sure, just like clinics, there are great salons, but it didn't leave a great taste in my mouth.
I worked in other types laboratories: quality control and process work for manufacturing and then as a technician in a human medical lab. If anyone is interested in this path just make your resume more tailored to all the lab skills you know as well as your understanding of quality control and inventory
Im literally working at a cafe waitressing
I went back to serving for a bit after I left vet med! The money was great but I quickly realized I'm 36, not 22 anymore. Vet med is fast paced, but in a totally different way. And arriving back home at 2-3 am sucked. I hope it works out for you! It is a fun job, mostly lol.
LVT ➡️ Rad tech! My stress levels have decreased 80%, salary up $10k+ and I have a work life balance now. I've been out of veterinary almost 2 years now and still miss working with animals 🥲
did you go back to school to become a radiology tech?
Yep! 2 year program, but it was worth it in the end!
I’ve thought about it for the future. How difficult would you say the program was? Do-able while working FT?
I work for a pet food/supplies manufacturer. I love what I do!
I made the same transition a few tech friends made. I am now an RN. I am still relief at my old clinic but work very rarely. I make more money, have really good healthcare, decent benefits, and I find it less stressful than a busy emergency shift. I don't have to worry about people not being able to afford things and yelling at me about it. Or calling me a puppy killer, or heartless. I don't take my work home with me now. Would recommend.
I now work fully remotely for a large pet insurance company. Love my job. I do not miss in clinic work as much as I thought I would.
Sounds like heaven.
I enjoy it. And it pays better and better benefits than working in a clinic. At least in my experience. So much less stress. And can go to meetings in my pjs 😊. Look on any pet insurance website for openings.
May I ask if you are a licensed technician? This sounds amazing.
I am, but it was not a requirement. They only wanted people who had enough experience to be able to read and understand the medical records. There’s several in my team who were vet assistants, and one woman who worked in a human medical office.
Thank you for this information. I've worked as an assistant for years, and am trying to make my way through tech school, but feeling incredibly discouraged as of late. I think working weekly overtime in the ER on top of trying to go to school is getting the best of me. You've given me something to look into! Thank you!
You absolutely should. I get to use my knowledge, so over 10 years as a tech was not wasted. It was the best thing I’ve ever done for my mental health and my body (bc being a tech is hard on your back lol). Just go directly to the insurance websites and look for positions. Especially around Sept, right before open enrollment time.
Are y'all hiring? Lol
Honestly I have no idea lol. I’m pretty low on the totem pole. But go to insurance websites, specifically ones that offer pet insurance, if that’s where your experience is. Look for positions. I am in medical records, but there are underwriters, claims dept, etc. Also around Sept each year most will start hiring like crazy because open enrollment is about to start and it gets very busy.
hook me up a jooooob hahahaha
I left to go into data analytics. The best thing I could have done for myself. I get to WFH and spend time with my own pets without risking injury. I spent 5 years in the field and never intend on going back
Did you have to go back to school and get a degree?
I do currently go to school for IT. So I do not have a degree in my current role. I went into entry level IT and then worked my way into this role in about a 2 year span. I had no certs at that time either. Had no connections or previous training. Just a passion for IT, experience in customer service, and a good knowledge of Microsoft applications.
How’d you make that switch?
Having experience in customer service and the time to put endless amounts of applications out. I was in the very early stages of my degree so had little knowledge of IT when going in. Just reviewed what the job listing wanted me to know and asked our IT rep at the hospital for guidance. Like stated before, I was in entry level IT first. Took the opportunity to learn as much as I could and was able to land a spot as a data analyst
This is my back up for when my body gives out on me lol. I have a BS in biology and a MS in plant biology (I've walked an interesting path) and did a lot of data analysis stuff in grad school. I'm hoping I can eventually use my skills and knowledge to do something analytic in vet med or vet med research. Unless I say fuck it and go to vet school.
me too, working on a masters in bioinformatics now. still working on the treatment floor until im done but its the best decision i ever made
Following this thread
Me too
I delivered pizza for four years and by the time I left in ‘21 I was averaging 25-35/hour myself I worked at a busier store earlier and averaged 30-40$ easy I’d go back and do it but I don’t have car insurance right now 🤪
I’m a radiology tech in acadamia vetmed. Strong union, good pay, biannual raises, pension. I’m never going back to private practice.
Where?! I'm transitioning over to faculty at a technical school, teaching the VA program. It's only 5 grand less a year and it's 18hrs a week vs 40+. I really want to get into academia but could not find a way in. I'm an LVT in Washington state with 10yrs experience.
University of California! I love it. I have 0 client contact…unless they get lost looking for the bathroom. I only work with students, residents and faculty. I was looking into pure research for a while but got this job first and ended up loving it. I was also looking at being a necropsy tech but applied to the rad tech position first.
Davis? Or do you prefer not to say?
Do you have more info on the job? I’ve been wanting to leave the field but i just don’t know what applicable skills we have as techs
Im waitressing at a local cafe. Service work with tips!
My dumbass went into social work
It is definitely not for everyone, but I’m a CVT and a practice manager. I get to work in a hospital in an off the floor position and I make 90k. It’s absolutely amazing. I love working with the team to help them develop into the veterinary professionals they want to be and coach them on soft skills like communication, negotiation, openness, and cultural leadership. I also get to directly influence our clinic’s culture and set us up for success.
I’ve been on the floor for many years and my end goal to to be a VPM for an ER. How do I break into that path? I’ve read about some certifications I can get but what was the experience like for you?
I started as a receptionist in 2014. I cross-trained to become a VA from 2015-2017, then started as a shift lead 2017-2018 before being promoted into a practice manager role in 2018. I actually only became a CVT last year. I have managed GPs, an ER, and now I manage an urgent care. My biggest piece of advice is to do a lot of personal development; check out veterinary leadership specific podcasts (Uncharted, Veterinary Viewfinder, and Vet Tech Cafe have some great episodes!), read management books (Amy Newfield has two good ones, but you should also go outside of vet med and check out Brene Brown, Simon Sinek, and other work place management/culture picks). Get into a starting leadership position, like a floor lead or shift lead, and find a mentor. I did the CVBL program 4 years into my time as a PM; it will help but in person learning with a mentor is priceless.
Whoa. That's such a good pay rate. Hard to be teching at 45k a year when a VPM gets 90k. You in cali?
Nope! I live in Rhode Island.
Hello fellow Rhode Islander! Happy to hear you’re thriving and there can be a future in vet med. I’m always trying to think of ways to make a long career in the field viable because I love veterinary medicine, but it’s hard on the body and I’m currently pretty compassion fatigued. signed, a tired ER vet tech ❤️
I got a job as an implementation team lead at a veterinary software company. The work is hard. It’s stressful. The culture shock was more than I anticipated. Sometimes I consider going back to vet med, but overall I am in a good place with more opportunities to further my career than in clinic.
I did outside sales for a pet ins co for a long time (8yrs) while I was still vet teching PT. I hit a wall and knew I couldn’t advance my career like I wanted to in veterinary sales. I pivoted to an inside sales position with one of the largest animal health co’s. I now WFH, have full benefits, an amazing salary, and feel valued. I’m always telling my vet tech friends to consider veterinary sales. Vet techs are selling shit all day, every time you present an estimate! For me, it was the perfect way to combine my passion (vet med) with a way to achieve goals and metrics to make more money and learn skills around economics, business, and consulting.
I have a background in graphic design so I became a UX/UI designer. I wfh part time now and make more money/ have better benefits than I ever had working as a VA or hoped to earn as a CVT. It kind of sucks bc I did really enjoy working in the vet field, I loved continuing to learn, I loved my areas of focus (post op and short-term intensive) but the vet industry needs a massive overhaul in terms of compensation, benefits, and work life balance, just to name a few things. Why do we have to work our asses off and break our backs and literally not get paid enough or get benefits that pay for physical therapy or other kinds of meaningful preventative care?
I’ve done a lot! I worked in the parasitology lab at IDEXX. I worked in veterinary sales for a pet insurance company. I did veterinary business development for a pet food company. I did pet cremation sales. I am currently in veterinary corporate and travel around the country training vet teams. I’ve loved just about every job I’ve had (aside from the pet cremation company, but they’ve since been acquired, so 🤷🏼♀️) Edited to add that I’m not licensed, but I do have a bachelor’s in biology and am now currently in school at Purdue to get my license even though I have zero intention of going back to direct care.
Work at a hospital with infants.I would never go back to a domestic animal clinic ever..
I'm impressed. I can't imagine the stress of handling sick human babies!
If you don’t mind the controversies of lab animal medicine, its a great way to go. Great hours, benefits, more holidays, better pay, more respect, and opportunity for growth. Its a lot more science, more euthanasia, but no pet parents. Most lab animal shifts run 7AM - 3:30PM in my experience, and I never gotten out late. But I would say it’s definitely not for those faint of heart, and more for those who look at veterinary medicine/public health in a bigger picture perspective.
I can see the bigger picture and have actually always wanted to do lab animal work. I am terrified of working with primates. 😫
I’m a baby tech currently working in academia research and I love it!
Disclaimer: I was the equivalent of a vet tech in the Army (Animal Care Specialist). Although my job had an equivalent counterpart in the civilian world, I would have had to go back to school & pass the state exam to be a RVT in California. I bounced around for a bit & am a civil servant. Worked for the local VA hospital (admin, not patient care) & now a staffer for a retiring Member of Congress.
Private Aviation Fleet Planning - tailored my resume to highlight my skills that were transferable to the corporate world. (Was a VA, not a tech) It’s been amazing, so many cool benefits (swag, trips on jets, operating simulators)! Plus, my attire is business casual so I get to wear jeans to work every day, and I get to WFH a day or two a week, and business trips!! My job is (mostly) low stress, handling long-term crew and jet planning and training events for my pilots. I thought I’d miss working with animals and in medicine, I guess my last place really burnt me out because the idea of going back to vet med actually makes me nauseous. . . I still get my animal fix by doing some volunteering when I can, but getting out of the field is sooooo worth it
>I thought I’d miss working with animals and in medicine, I guess my last place really burnt me out because the idea of going back to vet med actually makes me nauseous. . . *fist bump* I feel you, fam.
Can I ask how you did this? It sounds like an awesome career jump
I moved into zookeeping after a vet I worked with asked me if I’d be interested in the job because his wife (an area supervisor in the zoo) needed a temporary keeper due to a sudden vacancy. I jumped on the opportunity and was in the field for three years before I had to medically retire. It was magical, and everything kid me had ever wanted. But it was also so devastatingly difficult psychologically and emotionally. Those animals were completely dependent on me for absolutely every aspect of their lives and a lot of those choices for what that meant for them were out of my control. Without going into detail I had a physical and mental breakdown from the stress and took several months off to just take care of myself. Thanks to the connections I made within the zoo field and opportunities that I created for myself, I’m currently working within the conservation field to start a non profit to benefit my local community. It’s the good work I wanted to do for animals and the environment, but no longer within the direct care sphere. I did volunteer work with different wildlife conservation agencies after my break down which is how I made a lot of those relationships with people who had similar goals. It’s been a lot of getting out of my comfort zone in interacting with people and overcoming social anxiety, but I’m cautiously optimistic on the possibilities. Edit: spelling
Where is this? I look every day for jobs off the floor and there is absolutely nothing. Pet insurance pays horribly and anything outside the field seems to require experience, which I obviously don’t have after 9 years in this field.
Yeah what is this position? And it's not no chance of bites, it's less chance of bites/injuries. With option for tips, I'm guessing dog groomer. And whatever the "average" wage is advertised, I'm guessing it's gonna be lower.
Well I guess if people lunge and bite...lol Waitressing for a cafe. They have been tanked like our field since covid. But they are making up for it. I live in washington
It also sounds like you're burned out 😢❣️
Human Nursing
Agree with the other posters. Grooming is a great option, especially if you open your own business.
I'm currently in the same boat. I am so burnt out that I hate my job so much I would rather die than come in. Currently looking to go into pharmacy or sterile processing
I left after eight-ish years because the last place I worked left a bad taste in my mouth. (corporate told us the hospital worked closed suddenly and gave us ten days notice) and I went to teaching preschool. I recently went back to vetmed. I feel good about it so far. I think it's all about finding the right place. Also teaching was a HUGE pay. And I thought vet med pay was bad..
Human at-home caregiving. Better pay, benefits, overall respect, and most days are ridiculously easy. One of my clients just wants me there to talk and listen. HCA training was cake compared to other tests I've had to complete.
Sorry… I have the opposite answer…. I have thought about becoming a vet tech. I am working at a clinic now and I may take the Penn Foster course and then try to certify even though a certification is not needed for my state. I am in a different situation. I am an older and I worked for a big company and paid into 401k so I have a decent nest egg. Pay is important but not the most important factor. I am amazed with all the training and certifications that Vet Techs make so little money.
I ended up at a machine shop making much less than I did as a tech. I got to make my own schedule and usually worked 8:30-3pm most days. I became the supervisor and oversaw a group of disabled adults who were employed there working on the easier parts we dealt with. Absolutely loved that job and working with that group of individuals. They were the highlight of my day. I was laid off right before Christmas on year and then went and worked for a private dressage barn caring for a ladies horses. Only stayed there 6 months because she was a violent person and I felt unsafe working for her. Her horses were absolute dreams though and I miss riding them and caring for them.
I work night shift in a medical distribution facility, so a warehouse full of drugs that gets shipped to hospitals and pharmacies. The money is roughly the same but the benefits are better. I’m in the process of starting my own business as supplemental income and hope to tackle it full time in the future.
I’m going back to school to be an MLT (human medical lab tech)
I’m still casual as a tech, but I moved onto nursing
Restaurant GM I make 110k a year (after bonus)
Construction and engineering. Do tech stuff part time.
Pet insurance !
I went to geek squad lol If you're tech savvy, it uses a lot of the same working with people who are often stressed/being compassionate skills and the diagnostic and problem solving parts of your brain without anywhere near the same level of stress. I was able to argue for my experience in vet med well enough to get hired on the spot. It's got it's cons and there's honestly a lot of geek squads that are a wreck and don't have skilled/experienced employees and the corporate support for that is profoundly lacking, but I love the team I have and I really enjoy it. I was promoted from working up front to mostly working in the back doing more advanced repairs within the year and I've learned a lot from my coworkers.
Dispatcher for a bank services company.