Changing careers and going back to school

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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).

[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!

[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 ...

[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.

[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]

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?

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!

[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.