Changing careers and going back to school

[GLC1968]

Some of you may remember my career woes. In a nutshell, I graduated from a liberal arts college with a BA in Sociology back when I was 22. I went into retail management with the intent of getting some good experience before going back to school to get my MBA. 6 years later, I applied to 4 top 20 MBA programs and got wait-listed at all of them stating my lack of proven math abilities.

About a year or so after that, I quit my job in retail, moved to FL and lived in the apartment over my parent's garage while I decided what to do with my life. I started taking math classes figuring that I'd end up applying for the MBA again. I took accounting (why??), calculus and a chem course (in case I went with med school). It turned out that I liked calculus and then physics and eventually I ended up getting a BS in Electrical Engineering and then an MSEE. I thought it was a good career choice that would keep me challenged and gainfully employeed. It turns out that I was right...but I'd forgotten to figure in my own personal desires/tastes into the equation.

It's now 8 years after graduation and I'm realizing that this was my second bad career choice. In addition, I now have NO interest in that MBA. I do have an interest in vet school. There is a vet school about 90 minutes from me. To get into the program, I'll need about 2 years worth of undergrad classes that I never took (like organic chem and biochemistry) if I take them part time and keep working. In addition, I'll need some vet experience (besides delivering goat babies!) that I should be able to get in the next two years as well.

Then I'd apply to school and if I get in...THEN I'd quit my job. I'd have to as the course load is about as grueling as my engineering degree was. We'd be living on one salary, but with a few cut backs, we should be able to swing it financially.

So...I'm not really sure what my purpose in posting here is...maybe for validation? Maybe for commisuration? Maybe so you all can tell me that I'm flat out nuts to consider a third career at the age of 43?

When I did this at 30, I was unattached, I had no debt, I did not own a home...it was easy to take the plunge. Now, I've got a husband, a mortgage and it's no longer just my life I'm playing with here... Luckily, we are debt free outside my husband's student loans.

Oh yeah, and student loans. That's not gonna be pretty. Who wants to take on 100K in student loans in their late 40's? :(

I feel like I don't have anyone in real life that I can bounce ideas off. My husband obviously has a vested interest in this and most of my friends are settled with kids and can't even comprehend that I could be so disatisfied with my career at 42 and that it would matter enough to me to undertake something like this. I also can't speak about this to anyone that I work with for fear of endangering my current position which I do NOT want to lose until we are ready!

And then...what if I do all this and then I don't get in? Then I'll be 2 years further down the road with no new prospects in a career that I still dislike.

OK, I'm stopping here or I could ramble on this all day. Comments welcome...:)

[ny biker]

Talk to some vets. Also maybe others in the animal-care field, such as non-vets working in shelters. You might get ideas from them regarding different career paths, education options, etc.

[nancielle]

Who wants to take on 100K in student loans in their late 40's?

Did it in my 40's. Can't say I like(d) it but it was one of the best things I did in leaving a job I'd held for 10 years to go into an entirely different field.

I also agree with ny biker's advice about talking to people in the field. Did you speak with the people at the vet school or just get the course info online? If you haven't spoken to them personally, I think making an appointment to discuss your interests with them might also be a good idea.

[tulip]

Wow, I'm so proud of you for voicing your dreams. That's a huge thing!

Is $100k in student loan debt inevitable? You say you can live on one salary--is that just living expenses? How much is the vet school tuition and expenses? I assume you are in-state and this is a state university. If not, go with a state school. Private schools are unnecessary and overpriced IMO.

In the short term, I would suggest talking to a counselor to help you figure out why you are unsatisfied with your current job. If you don't do that, you could run into the same problem even in a completely different field. A counselor would also help you explore what you want to do (what will make you happy) and options to pursue your dreams.

Best wishes to you, and feel free to keep us posted if you like.

(BTW, I'm satisfied with my job. I definitely went into the right field for me, but I'm rather dissatisfied with my life in alot of ways and I'm trying to figure out how to get happier. What happened to those dreams I had? Why am I not living in Paris like I always thought I would? A counselor really helped me a few years ago, and I'm probably overdue to start that up again).

[jessmarimba]

Funny, I read this as I'm exploring some local schools here to finish a degree I started and then quit.

My situation is different, though, as a different degree would just offer me wider (and better-paying) options within the same company, and I could (hopefully) finish without leaving my current job.

A friend of mine is toying with the idea of going into vet school after a few years of teaching music. She's coming up with the same road blocks you are. I second the idea (to you and her) of talking with someone in the field before jumping all the way into this - there might be options you aren't familiar with that will cut some of the time and/or money off to get you into the job quicker, or alternate jobs that you aren't aware of yet that share the same interests.

Good luck!!

[Biciclista]

I can quote Mark Twain here:

‎"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."

having said that, I have great concern for the debt burden on your generation..

[makbike]

If you have not worked in a vet clinic I would suggest you secure a job in a clinic. Working in a clinic will allow you see exactly what is involved. Second, securing a job in a vet clinic will also give you some practical hands on experience which will help you if you decide to go vet school.

What about a vet tech degree coupled with your chemistry courses? Just tossing out some ideas not sure if they are helpful or not.

[GLC1968]

I have talked to a couple of people in the field, one advisor at the school I'd apply to, and my SIL who did all the prereq work (for her it was a LOT) and the first year of vet school before quitting. She had no idea what she was getting into and found out that while she loves animals, some of the stuff was just too hard to take. I do have an advantage over her now that we've dealt with goats and chickens for the past 2 years for which there are no real vets to see (plus I'm a life long dog/cat owner, too). I also have almost all the science classes already as I had to take many of the same requirements for my engineering degree. In fact, if I was willing to go full time, I could have the prereqs done in less than a year. That doesn't really work for me though because I still need some vet experience so a 2 year time-frame makes more sense.


Wow, I'm so proud of you for voicing your dreams. That's a huge thing!

Is $100k in student loan debt inevitable? You say you can live on one salary--is that just living expenses? How much is the vet school tuition and expenses? I assume you are in-state and this is a state university. If not, go with a state school. Private schools are unnecessary and overpriced IMO.

In the short term, I would suggest talking to a counselor to help you figure out why you are unsatisfied with your current job. If you don't do that, you could run into the same problem even in a completely different field. A counselor would also help you explore what you want to do (what will make you happy) and options to pursue your dreams.

Best wishes to you, and feel free to keep us posted if you like.

(BTW, I'm satisfied with my job. I definitely went into the right field for me, but I'm rather dissatisfied with my life in alot of ways and I'm trying to figure out how to get happier. What happened to those dreams I had? Why am I not living in Paris like I always thought I would? A counselor really helped me a few years ago, and I'm probably overdue to start that up again).

Tulip - I think that's why I'm so disatisfied with my job, I'm super happy with the rest of my life and the job feels just miserable in comparison. I have not spoken to a career counselor in 20 years. I probably should. It never occurred to me that they could help me pinpoint the issues with my current job but I am pretty certain I know what it is and I have absolutely no interest in fixing it - I made the dead wrong choice and it's high time I faced up to it. I've done a TON of thinking about this in the past few years.

I have no student loans from my first three degrees, so that's a plus. We can afford to pay cash for all the prerequisites and therefore only need loans for the vet school itself. And honestly, I could cash out some investments and pay for it outright (the advantage to already having a career!), so we have options. Living on one salary would mean covering all of our living expenses, but not tuition or books. And yes, in state. Not only is it cheaper, but it's MUCH easier to get into vet school if you stay in your own state. Resident tuition is currently at 19.5K per year for the DVM program. I expect that it will go up before I apply based on current state funding deficits. OSU is about 90 minutes away, so I'd proabably commute and avoid having to pay for room and board. So 100K is an estimate....


I can quote Mark Twain here:

‎"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."

having said that, I have great concern for the debt burden on your generation..

That Mark Twain is one smart man, isn't he? That's pretty much how I have always wanted to live my life. It's time I start applying it to my career as well.

[Crankin]

Well, I say "do it," after talking with people in the field. Make an informed decision. I also second going to a career counselor. That's a master's level clinician who specializes in career issues. While I don't want to do that, it's an interesting field.
I really thought I was ready to stay at home and play when I quit teaching. After all of those years of being the only working mother among my friends, I was itching to do nothing. Well, even endless time to ride didn't pan out for me. I thought about a lot of things. Most of them were quasi-medically related, but I suck at science and math and I didn't want to have to take 2 years of undergrad courses as a prerequisite. The decision to enter clinical mental health counseling awoke some things that I had thought about doing while in college, but was deterred by stupid advice and other stuff. I believe Nancielle went to the same school and program that I will graduate from in May. I am 57, so by the time I work for 2 years and qualify for my license, I will be almost 60. There have been people (2 men) who have entered my program in their 70's.
I waited along time to do something *I* wanted to do, as we can comfortably afford to live on one income now. But, since I go to a private college, I did take out loans. I really didn't need to, however, DH was just being kind of nervous when I applied to school, so we had the money and it will be paid off very quickly with the bonuses DH gets.
Tulip, I generally agree with your advice about going to a state university. However, for the first time in my life, I didn't take my own advice. I compared the program at U Mass Boston to the program I am in at Lesley. There was just no comparison. I also looked at employment stats for grads and that was also telling. Plus, it's just easier for me to get there and that was a major concern for me.
Being a vet is hard and it's extremely competitive to get into vet school. The daughter of one of my friends in AZ is finishing her second vet internship and applying for residency now. She was one of those "perfect" students and she still didn't get in to all of the schools she applied to.
But, I still say, it's not stupid to consider a career change again. Investigate lots of things.

[makbike]

GLC1968 be sure you talk to the vet school you will be applying to and make sure your previous course work will be valid. I know when I gave some thought to vet school years ago I found out all my course work for my degree in Biology was not valid as they only honored course work taken within the past ten years.

[shootingstar]

Congrats. for seriously considering changing careers and maybe going back to school.

Would be useful to work in a vet clinic first. Obviously this would be a radical pay cut or take on such a job, part-time..if possible. Or have present job part-time and vet clinic job part-time.

I haven't truly switched jobs but have had to relocate to another province for a job at this stage in life --moving on to 52 soon. It's not the best situation but not the worst either.

It's abit strange to hear people around my age talk about early retirement. I can't consider it.

[GLC1968]

If you have not worked in a vet clinic I would suggest you secure a job in a clinic. Working in a clinic will allow you see exactly what is involved. Second, securing a job in a vet clinic will also give you some practical hands on experience which will help you if you decide to go vet school.

What about a vet tech degree coupled with your chemistry courses? Just tossing out some ideas not sure if they are helpful or not.

Yep, clinic is first on my list. My goal will be large animal medicine, so I'm hoping to get some exposure to a large animal vet (we have quite a few in our area). I will also see if I can volunteer at the zoo which is also pretty close to where I work now.

I know I would not be satisfied with vet tech. I just know it.


Well, I say "do it," after talking with people in the field. Make an informed decision. I also second going to a career counselor. That's a master's level clinician who specializes in career issues. While I don't want to do that, it's an interesting field.
I really thought I was ready to stay at home and play when I quit teaching. After all of those years of being the only working mother among my friends, I was itching to do nothing. Well, even endless time to ride didn't pan out for me. I thought about a lot of things. Most of them were quasi-medically related, but I suck at science and math and I didn't want to have to take 2 years of undergrad courses as a prerequisite. The decision to enter clinical mental health counseling awoke some things that I had thought about doing while in college, but was deterred by stupid advice and other stuff. I believe Nancielle went to the same school and program that I will graduate from in May. I am 57, so by the time I work for 2 years and qualify for my license, I will be almost 60. There have been people (2 men) who have entered my program in their 70's.
I waited along time to do something *I* wanted to do, as we can comfortably afford to live on one income now. But, since I go to a private college, I did take out loans. I really didn't need to, however, DH was just being kind of nervous when I applied to school, so we had the money and it will be paid off very quickly with the bonuses DH gets.
Tulip, I generally agree with your advice about going to a state university. However, for the first time in my life, I didn't take my own advice. I compared the program at U Mass Boston to the program I am in at Lesley. There was just no comparison. I also looked at employment stats for grads and that was also telling. Plus, it's just easier for me to get there and that was a major concern for me.
Being a vet is hard and it's extremely competitive to get into vet school. The daughter of one of my friends in AZ is finishing her second vet internship and applying for residency now. She was one of those "perfect" students and she still didn't get in to all of the schools she applied to.
But, I still say, it's not stupid to consider a career change again. Investigate lots of things.

I don't know why I didn't think of you as I was putting this idea together. You obviously have experience with all this! My goal is to be a practicing DVM by the time I'm 50. I know to younger people, that seems unreal...but it's only 7 years. I'm sure the time will fly. I know that if I don't give it a shot, I'll regret it. I already do. This is the fourth time that I've considered this in my life. 4 times. You'd think I'd have taken my own dreams a little more seriously sooner than that, wouldn't you? :rolleyes:

I'm not that worried about getting in to the school. I probably should be, but I've got so much going for me (not to toot my own horn) that I really don't think it'll be a problem. I can obviously do the work as evidenced by my BSEE and MSEE (both of which I had almost straight A's under a heavy course-load), I'm obviously mature, I have an extremely varied background and excellent communication skills, I will have great experience including owning my own small ruminants, and I interview extremely well. They'd be fools not to accept me! :p

[GLC1968]

GLC1968 be sure you talk to the vet school you will be applying to and make sure your previous course work will be valid. I know when I gave some thought to vet school years ago I found out all my course work for my degree in Biology was not valid as they only honored course work taken within the past ten years.

I actually checked already because I was worried about my original biology that I took 20 years ago. They said it was fine (probably since it was only basic bio and not something more specialized). And my engineering stuff was only 8 years ago, so most of it is pretty recent. I'll be taking more specialized stuff as prereqs (like biochem and animal nutrition), so those will obviously be very recent. And even though I already have an MS degree, I'll still have to take the GRE for the third time in my life to demonstrate my ability to handle graduate level work. Makes sense, right? :rolleyes:

[Deborajen]

Are scholarships out of the question? Back when I was in college (it's been awhile - ) the usual advice was "don't go to grad school unless you can get someone else to pay for it." Now, I never knew for sure if that meant there were lots of scholarships out there, if you can't get someone else to pay then you're not grad school "material," or it's best to build a network first and the network should include the financial backing. But I didn't go to (or haven't gone to) grad school.

I've tossed around the idea of changing careers, too. I don't think it's crazy at all. Variety is the spice of life, right? And dreams are good! My thoughts are to take a prerequisite or two and just ease back into it - see how it goes.

[GLC1968]

Are scholarships out of the question? Back when I was in college (it's been awhile - ) the usual advice was "don't go to grad school unless you can get someone else to pay for it." Now, I never knew for sure if that meant there were lots of scholarships out there, if you can't get someone else to pay then you're not grad school "material," or it's best to build a network first and the network should include the financial backing. But I didn't go to (or haven't gone to) grad school.

I've tossed around the idea of changing careers, too. I don't think it's crazy at all. Variety is the spice of life, right? And dreams are good! My thoughts are to take a prerequisite or two and just ease back into it - see how it goes.


That's a really good point. I need to look into it. That's why I have no student loans from my first masters degree - 80% of it was covered by a research grant. The remaining 20% was covered by a fellowship. All I paid for was books and living expenses and I worked part time to cover that. When I was at a conference as a student, I was approached by two different PhD programs who offered me free ride if I would attend and then teach at their schools. Being a an american born woman with good communications skills really served me well in EE. ;) I didn't take either one up on their offer and I'm super thankful that I didn't. I'd feel way too guilty to ever leave behind a field if I had a PhD in it!

I have no idea how this all might work for the medical field. There are a list of scholarships that I can apply for based on things like my ethnicity, my specialty, my grades, etc...so there are options. I'll have to do some research. Thanks for the idea!

[tulip]

Start at the financial aid department of the university. They ought to have tons of information and guidance for scholarships. I used to work at the financial aid office of a large state university, and I was amazed that the scholarships that were out there. That was pre-internet, so they are probably easier to research now.

Crankin, I'm very familiar with Lesley. I lived around the corner from it for much of my childhood (well, four or five years--which IS alot of childhood!). It's an excellent school, and you undoubtedly got a very good education there. Vet schools, however, are usually state schools/land grant universities. Tufts, of course, is not, but I really see no reason to go to a private vet school because there are so many excellent public ones. I considered pre-vet as an undergrad (but ended up in art history!?!)

GLC, it's so great what you are doing! Biciclista is right--we will regret what we don't do...so go do it!

Makes me want to go watch All Creatures Great and Small...I love the border collies.

[OakLeaf]

I know I would not be satisfied with vet tech. I just know it.

I don't have much to add except good on yer for following your dreams, but I will say this: two years as a legal secretary got me head, shoulders and probably waist above my classmates in the first year of law school. And, I think, in my first couple of years after graduation as well.

Granted that law school is much more about language than any other professional school, but I think a year or two of work in an allied or supporting field has got to be an enormous benefit for any professional entering school or starting a career.

[Kerry1976]

Another possibility in terms of funding your education is assistantships. When I got my first master's, I had an assistantship that covered my tuition plus paid a stipend. That left me with fees and books. Every school is different, of course, but an assistantship could both pay for your education and give you valuable experience in the field, if available.

I wish you the best of luck as you move forward! You can do this - if you want!

[Possegal]

I started out wanting to be a vet, then worked for one for a year and realized it wasn't for me. That was a long time ago (dang it hurts to admit that) but at the time, the deal was that if there was a vet school in your state, it was virtually impossible to get accepted to another vet school. No idea if it is still like that, but for me it meant that my only real choice was Penn. There are not that many vet schools in the US (28 I think), where as there are 150-some medical schools. The joke was always that a lot of MDs you know, started out wanting to be vets but couldn't get into vet school. ;)

I say good for you and go for it! The one debt I do not regret is the payment on my PhD. I joke that when I retire I'll stop paying and let them repossess the degree, but in fact, I should be done with it in a couple years. YAY ME. :)

[jobob]

I'd feel way too guilty to ever leave behind a field if I had a PhD in it!

Oh, it's not that hard to do ... :cool:

:D

[GLC1968]

Oak - that makes a ton of sense. My friend Steph did the exact same thing when we were both recent grads. Her legal assistant experience was invaluable to her. While I don't want to waste my time with a vet tech degree, if I could work as one on a volunteer basis over the next two years, I totally will.

In fact, getting the vet experience is the one thing I haven't researched yet and the one thing I'm most worried about! What if no vets want to take on a 43 year old volunteer? Ugh.

Assistantships - good to know. I think every field calls these things something different! One advantage to doing this now as opposed to when I was 22 is that now I have the confidence (read: balls) to seek out these opportunities where as I wouldn't have back then.

[Crankin]

Yes, younger people may think career changing is nuts past age 40, but, really, I know myself a lot better now than I did at 22.
It's true that vet schools are all state schools, except Tufts... I think. I know that if your state does not have a vet school, they usually have an interstate compact with the closest vet school. The person I mentioned in my above post went to Texas A&M, but paid in state tuition, since AZ has no vet school.
And finally, I agree with Oak that any experience in the field is going to serve you well when you are in school or when you start your career. Tuesday I got to my clinic, and every admin person pounced on me; everyone knew that one of my clients had been transferred to Medicaid from Mass Health, which meant I couldn't see him anymore (gee, the government cares about someone seeing an intern?). I had to get a paper signed by the clinic director or 2 other designees and I had to tell the guy, who was coming in in like 45 minutes. I couldn't find the clinical director, so I got the paper signed, found another therapist to take over the case, and I did the paper work. The client didn't show up, so I called him and took care of that. Then I got an email from the clinic director, to "see him" about the issue. I wrote him back that it was all taken care of. He was kind of shocked, but this was an occasion where my experience of dealing with the red tape in a school system served me well. I think they thought I was going to fall apart, which pretty much is never going to happen to me in a work situation.

[Possegal]

It's true that vet schools are all state schools, except Tufts... I think.

Penn is Ivy League, not a state school. ;)

I think a vet would love to have someone who is older and more confident in themselves. I don't think you will have any problem finding one that would love to take you under their wing. The one I worked for was so lovely and thoroughly enjoyed showing people the ropes of the field.

[ny biker]

Penn is Ivy League, not a state school. ;)

The Fighting Quakers!! :D

[ny biker]

In fact, getting the vet experience is the one thing I haven't researched yet and the one thing I'm most worried about! What if no vets want to take on a 43 year old volunteer? Ugh.

Assistantships - good to know. I think every field calls these things something different! One advantage to doing this now as opposed to when I was 22 is that now I have the confidence (read: balls) to seek out these opportunities where as I wouldn't have back then.

No, you have the ovaries to see out those opportunities now. ;)

I agree that being 43 is not necessarily a handicap in finding a volunteer position. Plus you have experience with animals that most younger people probably don't have, unless most folks in your area live on farms.

[Aggie_Ama]

One caution, the smartest person I know is a vet (Aggie Vet). He had very little time and practically fell off the face of the earth. We had dinner with him recently and he said more than once during vet school he questioned if he could keep going. Mainly I bring this up to make sure your husband is ready for the sacrifice too. You will essentially be in med school. Other thing is maybe a shelter can help you get experience? They usually do shots and many things vet techs would do but are way more desperate for help.

I am about to do the same thing, trying to say bye bye Office Space and hello nursing school. I thought corporate would was for me but it is not. I want to trade my heels for a pair of scrubs.

[sundial]

GLC, your resume is impressive. Your EE degree may help your application float to the top for review by the committee. And since you will be considered a "non-traditional" student, the odds are in your favor that you will be a better student and less likely to drop, which will make the department stats look good. :cool:

One thing comes to mind: How is the job saturation for your area? Are you prepared to move for a job?

[GLC1968]

One thing comes to mind: How is the job saturation for your area? Are you prepared to move for a job?

That's a really good point. I don't know what the vet situation is around here except as a pet owner. We had difficulty finding a vet on this side of Portland that would care for small ruminents (goats and sheep). I assume that's mostly because goat and sheep owners do their own vet work (we had to learn the hard way!). There is also somewhat of a lack of good quality pet care (small animals) in our area but again, that could be due to lack of demand. I'll definitely be paying attention to this as I get some vet-side experience before I actually apply.

And I'm willing to relocate to a point. I've fallen in love with the PNW, but we aren't partial to our area specifically. Will I move to Dallas? No. Will I move to Seattle or even No. Cal? Sure. Luckily, my husband can do his job from anywhere, so he's highly mobile as long as we stay on the west coast (where most of his customers are located). :)

[GLC1968]

Oh, and as an update:

My husband said he was willing to support me in this quest, but I could tell that he was really hesitant. He said he wanted me to be happy, but I was getting the distinct impression that he didn't believe that this particular path would make me any happier than my current one.

We had a talk last night (no idea how we got on the subject in the first place as this was not an intended 'talk'). I was finally able to explain exactly why I didn't like my current career, how I ended up choosing it and why I'd never excel at it. I could totally see the light bulb light up over his head! I'm thinking of putting my words in writing so that I can remember what I said. It would probably be helpful to use the same explanation when I tell my parents and someday, my boss. Anyway, end result is that he is definitely 100% on board with this decision (and in some ways, is even more appreciative of his own career choice). :)

[NbyNW]

GLC, I think it's wonderful that you are doing research towards doing something you love.

I just remembered another idea for you -- I don't recall how close you are to Portland, but maybe volunteering at the zoo could be good stepping-stone experience? Many years ago, a colleague of my husband's took a sabbatical to do exactly this: she basically shoveled poop and helped feed the animals for 3 months while applying to vet school. She ended up never going back to work at her old job!

[JennK13]

I've spent the last 4 months searching for a new job as I absolutely HATE my current one. I've been here over 3 years, and in the field for 5 - I'm an executive asssitant and work in municipal government.

I never intended to end up here....I went to Jr College out of high school, bought a house and just started working. School and dreams just kind of went away as the financial responsibility of adulthood took over. Flash forward 17 years later, and here I am. The job itself isn't too bad - it's not very fulfilling, but it's not difficult, I make great money, and have awesome benefits. But the political environment is killing me! I've been looking for an EA position in the Private Sector and in a more meaningful field, something that interests me like sports, fashion or healthcare. Competition is fierce, though, and i'm being picky right now since I do have a job and don't have to take whatever is out there.

But I still wouldn't be "happy" in work. I wanted to go into sports medicine, athletic training, something along those lines. I've been seriously considering going back to school to get my AS as a Physical Therapy Assistant and getting back to what I want to do, and get into an athletic rehab facility. DH is supportive of wanting me to be happy, but in his family you just work and make a living to pay bills - this whole loving your job thing is foreign to him. But he does see how it affects me and how unhappy I am Monday through Friday. While it would be tight, or at least really cut back on our current spending situation, we could make it work with me getting a part time job and going to school full time to knock it out in 12-18 months (I already have the majority of my general ed classes out of the way). He's just really worried about the financial situation, on top of tuition, since I'm the "bread winner". At least I could get my certification from a Community College, so it's not as expensive as what you all are talking about.

Anyhow, I took an online test on career satisfaction - what I want to do is right up my alley, and what I'm doing is way at the bottom of the list. I don't mean to highjack the thread, I'm just really inspired by you all to do it. I'll be 36 this year, too young to spend any more time than necessary in a job I hate.

So THANK YOU!!! I think this was the push and motivation I needed to see to really think hard about this and make it happen. Good luck to you!

[badger]

I am so envious of you!! About 10 years ago I had made a decision to go back to school to become a veterinarian. However, my very weak math skills came back to haunt me in that I really struggled with even the basic math and couldn't continute to even do anything like calculus or physics, which I would have needed to even apply.

There was only 3 vet schools in Canada then (I think there's 4 now), which meant I would be competing for one of 15 spots with those who have 5.0 GPA. It would also have meant I'd have at least 7 years of school (my BA in anthropology would have only counted for maybe 1 year of prerequisites) and god knows how much in student loans, I gave up. I even had a tattoo of a vet insignia put on me, but I had to hang my head in shame and have it covered up with a humming bird.

So, I'm hoping you'll pursue your goals in becoming a vet, that would be SOOOOOO exciting!! I'd say live your dreams, chase them and go for them. 2 years of undergrad is nothing, and then just 4 years of vet school. It will just FLY by, and you can live your dreams. If I were even remotely capable of even being accepted into a school, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

[Selkie]

You definitely have what it takes to be a great vet. The very calm way you handled Sass's delivery of a stillborn baby---getting the baby away from her quickly so as not to upset her---and helping Oreo and the other baby into the world. Well, that pretty much proves that you can do it.

You'll be a compassionate, smart, talented, competent vet with a great hayside/floorside/cage side manner. Enjoy the journey earning your DMV!

[GLC1968]

Aw, thanks you guys! NbyNW - there are internships at the Zoo and I'll definitely do that if I can swing it around a reguarly work schedule. It's far from my home, but relatively close to my work, so I might be able to get it to work.

And Selkie - you just made me tear up! Thanks!

[badger]

oh yeah, I forgot to mention that when I wanted to get on this path, I started volunteering at the spca hospital. I'm still there, 10 years later!

[out_spokin']

GLC1968, thanks for taking the chance and putting your dreams out like this. Clearly you've touched a nerve and have quite a bit of company.

I'm sort of in a mix between what you're talking about and what Tulip voiced - while I've been mostly satisfied with my career/job choices up til this point I'm starting to really be in touch with the fact that it is not going to keep me engaged and satisfied for much longer. I have no big qualms about the idea of going back to school at (almost) 42, though the finances and "will I really like it?" worries do exist. I did some research before the holidays, and I've got a lot of work to do about exploring what's next and this thread is inspiring me to take the next step again.

I'm a little more concerned about dissatisfaction in other areas in my life. I didn't so much dream of Paris, but I definitely need to work on the "get happier" part. I'm feeling deeply drawn towards living more authentically. Should be quite a journey!

[GLC1968]

I'm feeling deeply drawn towards living more authentically.

out_spokin', I think it was precisely my act of doing this that made me realize that I need to make a big change now. The fact that I am so happy with everything else about my life (and starting the farm was a HUGE factor in it) made the work situation even more glaring in comparison. When all you want to do is quit your job so that you can live the rest of your life (and it consumes your every waking moment and some of your sleeping ones) then you know there is something severly out of balance.

I started thinking about how I could bring the two together. I love my farm life...so why not find a job that will compliment it (and pay the bills)? I seriously considered going back to school for herbology, but while I'm fascinated by the subject, I'm not very good with plants. Luckily, I'm also fascinated by animal care and welfare and I do have more of a knack with them. Both options would have melded with the happy part of my life much better than my current career. So in a way, it all ties together.

[smilingcat]

I think most of us need variety in our lives. Some are quite happy with the job they have, punch-in, punch-out 9 to 5 job. And they are content.

And there are the rest of us. Never quite satisfied. And there are those who really do not like the profession they are in. Maybe you liked the job when you started but after 10 years, you don't or you really never liked it even in the beginning.

It's important to distinguish between I never really liked it and I'm burnt out on it after 10 years. Maybe its the people you work with. Design engineers are one tough bunch to work with on a personal level.

I knew I was going to be an engineer as a grade school kid. Electronics and machinery always fascinated me. Barbie dolls, and tea set never got my interest though I admit, I hated my younger sister when she got the olive green colored easy bake oven. It became mine after only few month... I digress. But I hate some aspects of R/D work. I hate some of the people, I hate the schedule created in never-never land...

I thought of going back into the restaurant "back of the house" kitchen work. Its crazy, chaotic dangerous place when the kitchen gets slammed. Been there done that. Went so far as to take classes in culinary school and have a worthless paper to prove.

I spent great deal of time at pottery, have studio worth of tools to prove. At one point I didn't have to pay attention to throwing mugs one after another. No splash pans and my pants stayed clean...

Yet I'm still in R/D of electronic design and each year I swear I'm going to quit or retire.


SOMETIMES, WHAT YOU NEED IS A GOOD DISTRACTION FROM YOUR WORK.

but if your heart is truly set on something else, like mimi quoting, You have to give it a try. If it doesn't work out or you find out its not quite what you thought, you can always go back.

Best to get your feet wet by volunteering on a regular basis. Most of us are mature so the decisions we make are made with both eyes wide open. Wish you the best in whatever you decide. Having a choice is a blessing.

[shootingstar]

One could almost imagine you ...at a farmers' market, with your stand demostrating cooking with a local food or making somethin' tasty, selling it.

:D Ever thought of this...?

[GLC1968]

It's important to distinguish between I never really liked it and I'm burnt out on it after 10 years. Maybe its the people you work with. Design engineers are one tough bunch to work with on a personal level.

I knew I was going to be an engineer as a grade school kid. Electronics and machinery always fascinated me.


Yeah, I never liked EE. Even when I was a student, I didn't like it. It was challenging for me, and I liked that aspect of it. I also knew that I'd be an asset in EE as a woman with excellent communication skills and a non-engineering background but with straight A's. I knew I could put together a fabulous career. My school also had this new, up and coming, exciting department in wireless technologies with a wireless instruction lab that was getting world-wide recognition. It was hard not to get swept up in it once I'd opened that door. Plus, I knew there was a huge future in it and I was right as evidenced by how fantastic my company is doing during an economic down turn. Basically, I knew I didn't love it then, but I didn't think it would matter. I chose my career for reasons other than enjoyment. I figured that since I was smarter than a lot of the guys I was working with, I'd be fine. I was good at faking it.

Unfortunately, in the real world, you can't fake the kind of enthusiasm that I'd have to show to really get somewhere in my career.

Oh, and I never wanted to be an engineer. Hell, before I hit college, I wasn't even sure what an engineer was! I was always fascinated with science and biology and things of that nature, but the physical sciences held no draw for me. I was always good at figuring things out (from puzzles to mechanical things), but it was not my passion.

LESSON TO ALL YOU YOUNGER BOYS AND GIRLS OUT THERE - DO NOT CHOOSE A CAREER UNLESS YOU ENJOY THE CAREER, NO MATTER HOW SMART OR LUCRATIVE YOU THINK IT WILL BE.





SOMETIMES, WHAT YOU NEED IS A GOOD DISTRACTION FROM YOUR WORK.


What, you mean besides TE? ;)




One could almost imagine you ...at a farmers' market, with your stand demostrating cooking with a local food or making somethin' tasty, selling it.

:D Ever thought of this...?

Nope. I hate to cook. :o

[Triskeliongirl]

I don't know the answer to the question I am posing but it's something I think you should research. It concerns age bias. While it may be illegal its often practiced by selection committees at least in the area of science that I do. The issue would be why invest the resources in training a 40 something who has 20 years less of a working life ahead of her than and 20 something? When I say resources, realize that student tuition is a drop in the bucket compared to the real costs to educate a professional of the type you are discussing.

I also wonder if an admissions committee would worry that this is your third career change, so it will be important to articulate why this time you are sure. Its easy to say you made a mistake the first time around, but the second time too?

I am not writing any of this to discourage you, just offering the perspective of someone that sits on admission committees for things to research before you take the plunge.

[badger]

that's a very valid point. A friend of mine has gone back to school to get her pre requisites to apply for medicine. She's been told by 3 schools if she's looked into Osteopathy. She was like "Osteopathy? what's that?" Finally after the 3rd time she was asked, she asked back in return if they were asking this because of her age (42). They said in not so direct way that yes, it's because of her age.

Osteopathy's not as regulated or as popular so it would be easy for her to get in.

[JennK13]

The issue would be why invest the resources in training a 40 something who has 20 years less of a working life ahead of her than and 20 something? When I say resources, realize that student tuition is a drop in the bucket compared to the real costs to educate a professional of the type you are discussing.

I also wonder if an admissions committee would worry that this is your third career change, so it will be important to articulate why this time you are sure. Its easy to say you made a mistake the first time around, but the second time too?

that's a very valid point. A friend of mine has gone back to school to get her pre requisites to apply for medicine. She's been told by 3 schools if she's looked into Osteopathy. She was like "Osteopathy? what's that?" Finally after the 3rd time she was asked, she asked back in return if they were asking this because of her age (42). They said in not so direct way that yes, it's because of her age.

Osteopathy's not as regulated or as popular so it would be easy for her to get in.


Well, now this just worries me! I registered for some classes this morning to get my general studies out of the way so I can apply for the fall Physical Therapy Assistant progam (applications accepted February 1-June 1). But, they only accept 20 students A YEAR into the program. As if 20 students wasn't limiting enough for me to be afraid, now I worry I'm too "old"...

[Owlie]

LESSON TO ALL YOU YOUNGER BOYS AND GIRLS OUT THERE - DO NOT CHOOSE A CAREER UNLESS YOU ENJOY THE CAREER, NO MATTER HOW SMART OR LUCRATIVE YOU THINK IT WILL BE.



Please come over and tell my boyfriend this.

[GLC1968]

I don't know the answer to the question I am posing but it's something I think you should research. It concerns age bias. While it may be illegal its often practiced by selection committees at least in the area of science that I do. The issue would be why invest the resources in training a 40 something who has 20 years less of a working life ahead of her than and 20 something? When I say resources, realize that student tuition is a drop in the bucket compared to the real costs to educate a professional of the type you are discussing.

I also wonder if an admissions committee would worry that this is your third career change, so it will be important to articulate why this time you are sure. Its easy to say you made a mistake the first time around, but the second time too?

I am not writing any of this to discourage you, just offering the perspective of someone that sits on admission committees for things to research before you take the plunge.


Oh, I totally get this. Both from a perspective of why educate me at 43 (or older by the time I actually apply) to why I've changed careers so much.

In fact, framing my past choices in a positive light is something I've thought about quite a bit. With a captive audience, I can easily demonstrate my life-long desire to be a vet (I've headed down that road three times before this one), but I certainly wouldn't bother going into it here. In addition, I certainly don't think that my first career choice was a mistake. It was actually a massive learning experience for me and I don't regret even one second of it. I do regret the choices I made for my second career to some degree. But I can certainly put the positive spin on it from a science/math/technical point of view and sell it as a strength in my application.

From what I've gathered from talking to people lately is that the dropout rate from vet school must be pretty high. It's probably not as obvious due to the relative small number of people who even get in, but as a %...it's got to be pretty large. As someone who has 'been there, done that' twice...I would think that I'm a pretty low risk student. I'm sure as hell not going to get pregnant, fall in love and get married, move to europe to backpack or get influenced by all the distractions of a typical college student. And since I'll be the one paying for this (not my parents), I'll have a more vested interest than some.

And then, is there really a time limit on being a vet? I mean, it's not like professional sports where you get too old, too quickly, right? Does a younger and better looking vet has much of an advantage over a mature one? It's not like sales or business or some other such career where youth/looks really matter, right? (or is it...I'm really asking here!)

But yeah, lots of good things to think about...

[tulip]

Just remember the Scarecrow and Dorothy:

Scarecrow: "Do you think if I went with you this Wizard would give me some brains?"

Dorothy: "I couldn't say. But even if he didn't you'd be no worse off than you are now."

They say the worst regrets are the ones about what you didn't do in life. We all have those, but I'm working hard to not have any more! I do still have time to live in Paris...

[emily_in_nc]

LESSON TO ALL YOU YOUNGER BOYS AND GIRLS OUT THERE - DO NOT CHOOSE A CAREER UNLESS YOU ENJOY THE CAREER, NO MATTER HOW SMART OR LUCRATIVE YOU THINK IT WILL BE.

True words indeed. Software engineer here since the late '80s. There have been times, projects, hours when I loved what I was doing, but those times were short-lived. I never planned on this career (too late to write the story of how I ended up in it, but I was a psychology major originally!!), and I've never been passionate about it. I've felt, for the most part, that although I've done well financially and survived thousands of layoffs at my company over the years, that I am not in the "right" field for me. That *I* got lost somewhere along the way and inertia set in.

I don't have passion for it. I should have done something else, something that got my juices flowing. It is often very hard to know what that is when you make a career decision (which may well prove to be lifelong) at a young age. I still don't really know. I only know that this is not it.

I turn 50 this April and am ready to retire. I can't imagine starting over at something that requires more schooling. I wish I'd figured out my passion many years ago, taken the financial hit, and gone for it.

So, GLC, I've been reading this whole thread, and I can feel your passion. Yes, there will be difficult times and roadblocks, but I think it's worth a try, since it's something you really want. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Good luck!

[Crankin]

Emily, I guess that's why I waited until we could live on DH's income quite nicely. Although I can't say I didn't have passion for my former career. There were times I felt trapped and bored (mostly because I knew I couldn't quit my job, when none of my other friends had to work), so I found the passion by taking on new roles like mentoring, changing jobs (very unusual for a teacher), or investing my passion into the fitness field (where I burned out after 10 years, as opposed to 30 for teaching). I think I got bored by the schedule of teaching... days so highly structured, over which I had no control. While I loved leaving work at 3 or 4, I have found that what i craved was flexibility. I have found I like having control over my schedule, not having to constantly work in a group to mediate decisions, and to have a choice in what kind of setting I will work in. I found that I don't mind working long hours or at night, as long as i have free time elsewhere during the week. While I thought I was ready to retire, with all of my sports activities, etc., I found that staying home was isolating and boring. It dawned on me, that I just needed a different way to work, in a field that I knew I could succeed in. I was interested in a lot of quasi-medical fields, but they all required way too many undergrad requirements, in addition to the graduate training. Plus, I was never good at math when i was younger and i am sure that hasn't changed. My degree has taken a year longer than most of the other programs in the same field (3 yrs. vs. 2), but I knew this was the right program/school for me. The key for me, is that even though I will be almost 60 when I get my license in a couple of years, is that I can continue being a therapist as I get older, on a part time basis, as long as I can talk and write! And i have found that this is a field where my age works in my favor. It doesn't hurt that my co-workers think I am at least 10 years younger than I am, but I have found that my life experiences have helped me a great deal in this field. I could not have done this when I was in my 20's.
DH won't be retiring for at least 8 more years, maybe more. Until then, I don't want to have too much time on my hands.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Try to get a job with a vet, volunteer in roles that allow you to work with animals, just get a feel of what its like. I started off wanting to do a degree in speech pathology and went to volunteer with a special school. After 6 months, I realised that my problem with needles meant I was not going to get anywhere close to becoming a speech pathologist and that my interest was really in teaching special ed. After a short trip to East Timor, I realized I wanted to learn how to use technology to help people with special needs live and work to the best of their abilities. So, my point is, volunteering will let you know if that is indeed something you want to do or if there's another path somewhere you haven't thought of that you really want instead.

As for the pre-requisites, maybe while volunteering, you can go over the materials using various universities' OpenCourseWare classes and syllabuses until you know for sure that you want to get into this? This way, when its time to go do the undergrad classes, you will at least know the stuff and hopefully, that'll allow you to take a heavier courseload and finish faster? I use both MIT and University of Utah OpenCourseWare, there are plenty out there, so do Google.

I hope you find a satisfying career path. At least you get to tell people that you've really seen and done different things.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I guess that's why I waited until we could live on DH's income quite nicely. Although I can't say I didn't have passion for my former career. There were times I felt trapped and bored (mostly because I knew I couldn't quit my job, when none of my other friends had to work), so I found the passion by taking on new roles like mentoring, changing jobs (very unusual for a teacher), or investing my passion into the fitness field (where I burned out after 10 years, as opposed to 30 for teaching). I think I got bored by the schedule of teaching... days so highly structured, over which I had no control. While I loved leaving work at 3 or 4, I have found that what i craved was flexibility. I have found I like having control over my schedule, not having to constantly work in a group to mediate decisions, and to have a choice in what kind of setting I will work in. I found that I don't mind working long hours or at night, as long as i have free time elsewhere during the week. While I thought I was ready to retire, with all of my sports activities, etc., I found that staying home was isolating and boring. It dawned on me, that I just needed a different way to work, in a field that I knew I could succeed in. I was interested in a lot of quasi-medical fields, but they all required way too many undergrad requirements, in addition to the graduate training. Plus, I was never good at math when i was younger and i am sure that hasn't changed. My degree has taken a year longer than most of the other programs in the same field (3 yrs. vs. 2), but I knew this was the right program/school for me. The key for me, is that even though I will be almost 60 when I get my license in a couple of years, is that I can continue being a therapist as I get older, on a part time basis, as long as I can talk and write! And i have found that this is a field where my age works in my favor. It doesn't hurt that my co-workers think I am at least 10 years younger than I am, but I have found that my life experiences have helped me a great deal in this field. I could not have done this when I was in my 20's.
DH won't be retiring for at least 8 more years, maybe more. Until then, I don't want to have too much time on my hands.

I think what you are doing is great and have followed many of your career comments on other threads. It makes perfect sense in your situation, since being retired without one's spouse can indeed be a lonely, isolating thing, and you've found something you really enjoy. Nothing at all wrong with serial careers; in fact, they make a lot of sense and keep things fresh.

Our situation is reversed in that my DH was laid off during the telecom bubble burst of 2001 and basically just retired after that as there were NO jobs out there for him, and we were debt-free and could live on my salary. Since then he's been waiting for me to join him so that we could have fun and adventures. I've been the bread-winner, which has necessitated staying put, no job changes, no leaving to go back to school, etc., as we needed the paychecks and benefits my job provided. Having a house husband has some really nice perks, so it actually worked out well for us, as he was very burned out on being in an office, preferred the variety of retirement, and picked up lots of the cooking, shopping, cleaning, laundry, dog care, etc.

Now, though, I'm just so ready to join him so that we can spend time together pursuing our non-technical interests. If he were still working, I'd probably have left my job at least 5-7 years ago to do something completely different. Kinda like GLC! :D

Sorry for the hijack, GLC...back to it! :)

[Crankin]

Having a house husband is definitely a plus. My DH was one for about 8 months, during the last semester of finishing up his BS, plus about a quarter of the semester before. He sold his very successful catering truck business (people who know him now cannot believe that he did this) when DS 1 was born. We used the $ to live on, instead of saving it. After my 6 week leave, he stayed home until he graduated and it was the end of the school year in May. Then, when he went back to work, I was on vacation for the summer, so one of us got to be home with the baby for almost his whole first year. It was *not* a wise financial decision; in fact since we already had the nice house in the suburbs and 2 nice cars, it took pretty much until the kid was about to graduate from HS until we were free and clear of debt! Although moving across the country had a lot to do with this. But, it was great to have dinner on the table when I came home. He would go off to class and I would play with the baby, give him a bath, and put him to bed. When DS 2 was born 2.5 years later, I had a pretty tough adjustment, since DH was traveling a lot. I always say (sort of jokingly) that it was the best year of my life :). And there truly is a special bond between DH and DS 1, although DS doesn't remember any of this.

[SlowButSteady]

I'm a DVM and have been since 1985. I really think age and age bias is a non-issue within this profession. When I was in school in the early 80's, we had many older students. One was retired from the Air Force before he applied to vet school.

I have two much older vets who work in my practice (I'm the practice owner, so that makes me their boss). I have to plead ignorance to their exact ages! One is about 75 and one is about 65 They're great workers and enthusiastic about the profession.

The oldest one was awaiting a kidney transplant and on dialysis 3 days a week when he started working with me. He had retired and had to study to take the state boards again.

Almost all of my techs are also middle-aged and older (one is 63). At 52, I'm a relative spring chicken.

I do have to express some concern about people with multiple career path changes. One of my friends in college was a Ph.D., a Chaucer professor. This person went to vet school, dropped out...went to law school...dropped out...and is now teaching Chaucer again.

A good many of us leave private practice for other careers--we work for industry, government or do consultant work. And sadly, one of my classmates just comitted suicide. He had changed career paths after vet school, too.

I'm not being biased against you. All I'm saying is that people I've known who have changed career paths multiple times may have deeper issues that result in ongoing frustrations, etc.

Burnout is an enormous problem in my profession. I can't count the number of times I've been to the brink and back. We see so much sad and tragic stuff. We have to deal with non-animal problems--staffing, business, management, cash flow... The animals and their care are only about 50% of the job. Every animal that comes in is attached to a person, and offices don't manage themselves.

Also, in the early 80's, I got through with rather minimal student loans--which it took me 10 years to pay off. I understand that student debt is astronomical now.

That said, I love what I do. I love the medical thought and decision-making process. I love being a clinician. There are still days where I get an endorphin "high" from my work.

[GLC1968]

SlowbutSteady - thanks so much for your input. I knew that we had to have at least one practicing vet here at TE!

I definitely appreciate how unusual it might look to some that my career is constantly changing. But I should point out that I haven't exactly been flighty. I got my first degree in the traditional 4 years and started working in retail management right away. It was 7 years before I left to go back to school in order to make a change and branch out.

Then it took me 5 years to finish a second bachelors and a masters in EE. I had a job and had started working before I'd even defended my master's thesis. I've been working in the same field for 8 years now and it'll probably be closer to 10 before I actually apply to vet school.

I think that my track record shows that I make a commitment and I follow through.

And of course, no one dreams of being a retail manager or a product engineer when they are a kid. I did dream of being a vet...so it's a safe bet that this path is going to be a good one for me. ;)

[crazycanuck]

GLC, I didn't get to listen to http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2011/3118363.htm when it was on this morning but thought it might help you reaffirm your choice to change careers.

[GLC1968]

Thanks, CC! I downloaded it and I'll listen to it tonight.

At lunch today, I'm going to visit the animal hospital that is right around the corner from my office to see if they have need for volunteers.

Time to get this party started! :p

[badger]

I haven't seen jesvetmed in a long time. she's also a practising DVM in the pacific northwest and she became a vet later in life, in her 30's, I believe. She'd be really good to talk to, if she's still around!

[SlowButSteady]

Here's a link that you may find helpful: http://www.aavmc.org/index.html

[OakLeaf]

More large animal vets needed (but fewer women ;)):

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2011/02/04/callof-the-livestock.html?sid=101

[GLC1968]

Interesting, Oak! And not surprizing based on my limited experience. Part of the reason I originally thought about vet school again was the severe lack of vets who will treat small ruminants in my area. There are none in our entire county and only one if you also count the next county over (both of which are predomantly rural communities). That just blew my mind! It may be that large animal/small ruminant vets don't make much money, but I'm not doing this for the cash anyway.

While I do believe there are a good number of typical large animal vets in our area (horses)...they won't treat goats, sheep or in some cases, even cattle (all the food animals). I figure that as the small farm makes a necessary comeback (when transporting food hundreds of miles becomes too expensive), there is going to be a growing need for vets to handle these types of animals.

Plus, I find these animals fascinating! ;)

[AllezGirl]

Going back to school at 40 has recently crossed my mind. Not for a Vet degree though...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lees-mcrae-college-to-offer-degree-in-cycling

:D

[Aggie_Ama]

Take the plunge! I just registered today and start my nursing prerequisites next month. Good luck!