If animals have always had a special place in your heart and caring for them is what you have always wanted to do, then a career in veterinary medicine is something that may work best for you. However, you need to realize the fact that there is a massive difference between caring for them and treating them of the illnesses and diseases that they suffer from and these difficulties are not just physical hurdles but also involve emotional and mental barriers that may get in your way and eventually, in your career. Therefore, before you get carried away by your emotions, it is important to take a gander at the pros and cons of a career in veterinary to contemplate whether this is the right career choice for you or not.
- Pros:
- You have a wide variety of options when it comes to selecting a job: You would like to believe that the only job profile that you can think of when it comes to being a vet is working in private practice. While a majority of vets, 80% to be precise, work in private practice, there is also a massive chunk of the vets who take up employment in other places, the most common being government run animal hospitals and as researchers for new technologies, medicine and innovation.
- You earn good money: Although the salary that the other doctors receive is slightly higher than what you are likely to be paid, it is still much higher than what any profession may offer. Therefore, being a vet can be fairly advantageous especially when it comes to the pay for the same. The average salary can range from anything between $58,000 and $88,000, which is a very good number compared to other profession. It is also estimated that certain vets who have earned a name for themselves and are involved in private practice earn anywhere above $100,000 on an annual basis.
- Getting access to a job after your education is fairly easier: Since you have several options available at your disposal, you will always find it much easier to get access to good jobs. Perhaps, you could consider getting into private practice, like what most vets do or you could work as an assistant to renowned vets to get some much needed experience before you decide to take it up yourself; the possibilities and job opportunities are endless.
- Cons:
- Too many years of education: One of the biggest pitfalls of taking up a career in veterinary is the number of years that you will have to sacrifice for getting a professional education. Once you are out of high school, you will be required to spend at least 8 years in a medical school that specialises in veterinary training. This will bestow you with the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, which is also abbreviated as DVM.
- You will have to possess the ability to either tame or deal with upset animals: It is a known fact that doctor visits are certainly not a favourite activity for most and while humans can express their distress by wailing and yelling, animals tend to do so by biting or scratching with their limbs. Therefore, you are likely to hurt yourself on several occasions. Therefore you will be required to possess the patience that is needed to deal with the animals.
A career in veterinary can be an extremely satisfying one. You can get to meet different animals and treat them, thus giving them a new life. However, at the same time, it is very important to be confident in yourself.
Author’s bio: Kayla James is the owner of a vet clinic and has been running it for the past 10 years. She specialises in treating exotic animals and has won several accolades for her contribution to this field. She believes that nothing can be more satisfying than coming to the aid of animals who cannot even speak for themselves. To know more visit our site
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