Senior in high school here, I'm always switching my major. I'm an animal person, so for about 2 years I was strongly going to be a vet, but, I'd love to have kids, so I changed to Architectural Interior Design, because they work from home a lot, drawing out homes and stuff, sounds fun.
I'd love to work with animals in some way, though.
Can you be a vet, and still manage to raise a family? I don't want to be a mom later in life that doesn't have anything to do with family, and is always on call - and stuff like that.
What do you think I should do?
Any good paying careers working with animals?
2007-12-16 06:41:39 · 22 answers · asked by Lucy 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thanks, everyone for your encouraging answers. I didn't know that being on-call wasn't a requirement. I plan on having 2 kids, and I don't know of any vets around here that have kids. I guess people are scaring me into thinking that I can't have any if I want be a vet.
2007-12-16 06:56:19 · update #1
My vet has 4 kids. They come into the office and help out on holidays from school. I think the youngest is 8 now.
2007-12-16 06:44:00 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. P's Person 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course! A vet isn't any busier than any other profession. A vet may be busy...but so is a physician. My dad was a physician and was on call frequently...he was gone a lot, but he had three of us and managed to spend quality time with us and my mom on the weekends. My veterinarian has 5 kids....2 of which are twins! He and his wife are very busy....but he still practices veterinary medicine. I have to say, however, he doesn't do emergency calls anymore and he has shortened his hours since I first started going to him when he was single and could dedicate all of his time to his practice. Working mothers need to keep things balanced when they have a family. It not impossible and you can work full time or have a business of your own...even be a veterinarian and also have a family!
There are other careers such as being a dog trainer or groomer, managing a pet supply store or owning your own pet related business such as dog boarding kennel or gift store and more. But, being a vet would be a good way to go if that is what you would like to do. Don't worry about being too busy for a family...you can defiantly manage both and be very happy!
2007-12-16 14:09:08 · answer #2 · answered by ♥ Liz ♫ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can do what every you want to do, being a vet does not mean you have to put your entire life on hold for your career. Any job will require some time away from family, but if you manage your time, it will not be that big of an issue. The way you are thinking, you will be old before you have children is you think a career will take too much away from family. Not all vets are on call, many communities have plans where one or two vets in the area are on call at any given time. And being on call does not mean you are working 24/7 at that time.
2007-12-16 06:55:05 · answer #3 · answered by julvrug 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm currently a veterinary student. I know many male and female veterinarians that have families. There are a few students in my class that have children as well. The great thing about getting a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine is that you are not stuck with private small animal practice as your only option. There are plenty of other opportunities out there. I know a few vets that basically only do referral practice (horse feet, small animal surgery, etc) and work 9-5. It's really up to you :). I'm planning to go into pathology, which is mostly diagnostics. The lab at our school is really only open from 8-5 so those would be my hours if I chose to work there. I've joined the army on a scholarship, and will owe them a fre years when I finish, but the hours for that aren't bad and the pay is great. Being on call is certainly not a requirement, and if you get into a larger practice you can be on call once a week and every few weekends. I'm sure there are many other careers (vet tech, research, kennel ownership, etc) but I'm not sure how they pay. So far it's totally worth it to me, and I definitely plan to have a family. Good luck! It's a tough road, but totally managable!
2007-12-16 06:49:35 · answer #4 · answered by swimmintink 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Working and being a parent at the same time is a natural part of living in today's society. Staying at home is a choice, not a requirement. Children grow up fine regardless of whether their parents work or not, and regardless of the career choice.
What you have to think about is how happy you will be in the careers you are considering - not how much time you will have to spend with your family, because if you are only working 5 days a week and you are not traveling to do so you will have ample time to spend with your family. Another thing is it is becoming more and more acceptable to have a stay-at-home dad, which is something to consider.
Please try to remember, a job is a job regardless of if it is done at home or somewhere else. If you are doing it somewhere else then you have somewhat of a separation between home and work. If you are working from your home you run the risk of it interfering with your family life because if it being right in front of you all the time.
Also, you can always take a break from your career and go back when you're ready. I, for instance, have chosen to have my children before I begin my career, and it is working out great - with my husband working. Once all children are in school I plan on going back to work.
I think this is something you will have to figure out for yourself. There is no right or wrong choice. Make sure you are happy with your career choice, I think that is the key to insuring that your family will be happy regardless of you being at work or not because you will feel fulfilled at the end of your day.
2007-12-16 06:55:03 · answer #5 · answered by singingbluefae 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure, you can have a family. There are several students in my class with kids already. Like people have said, if you have a supportive husband and other family members, it is certainly doable. You can also do things like be a part time vet or be a relief vet (you go work at clinics when the main vets want to take off for vacation or personal emergencies, etc). I'm likely going to be a veterinary behaviorist, so that way I can schedule appointments with clients around my future family. That being said, I'm not having kids until I'm done with vet school and probably internship/residency.
2007-12-16 06:48:32 · answer #6 · answered by Cave Canem 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You sound like a VERY SMART young adult!!!!!!! You are researching occupations that will be well rounded for you, and a family that you want!!!! Not many young people are as smart, and think of all of the different scenarios!!!! I know for sure, a Vet. can have a great career and a family at the same time!! For instance, My 4 dogs Veterinarian, is in a practice with at least 4 other Vets. and they take turn taking call and having days off, even during the week, as well as weekends!! As a matter of fact, Her children go to the same school as one of my daughters and she volunteers at least twice a week there!! So if she has time to volunteer at the school, she must have plenty of time from the office!!! There are many more reasons to become a Veterinarian, other than work schedules, as you know!! Mainly, the reason you originally wanted to, to begin with, which is because you LOVE ANIMALS, as you stated for the number one reason at the beginning of your post!! If you want this, you can do it!! I have faith in you and I am very PROUD of you!! You are a great person, as a matter of fact, if we had more of you in this world, it would be a grander place!! Good Luck to you and I hope every dream you have, comes true!!!
2007-12-16 07:36:22 · answer #7 · answered by meloni o 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My vet has two kids, but does not live with them (or his wife). His family moved out to another state so one of the sons could compete in national ice skating events. They are all still one family, just living in different places.
You can have kids, and it probably depends a lot upon how many other vets and aids you have working with you.
You are still young. I originally wanted to be a veterinarian, then a wildlife rehabilitator (not a high paying job...not a paying job at all...in fact, you LOSE money), then a psychologist, and now I'm stuck on dog training and opening my own shelter.
You'll know the right career when you get to it. Just keep working with animals, work hard in school, and see where job opportunities lead you.
2007-12-16 07:00:08 · answer #8 · answered by Fur and Fiction 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
anyone who is successful in their career is going to be busy. Busy people have kids all the time. Maybe you can work for a few years then have some kids, work part time as a vet (there are animal hospitals all over that need fill ins and part timers). There are other options out there instead of having a private practice. Once your kids are in school you can go back to working full time.
No matter what career path you choose it is going to be hard having a career and family, so follow your dream.
2007-12-16 06:46:09 · answer #9 · answered by Leizl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
2 of the vets i see I know have kids maybe the others do as well. And one vet his father was one as well. he has 2 kids..plus he owns a nursing home...and an animal park and at least 2 tack shops. Mind you he has others who run these things. He is not on call though. if something happens in the night either another local vet, or an hr trip to an ER VET.
2007-12-16 07:24:59 · answer #10 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Every vet I know has kids. I would think a vet would make a great parent, because, yes, it's a busy job, but someone with that much passion and caring for animals is probably the same way with their family.
Vets do make great money (after paying back those hefty loans of course). Trainers can do quite well also, as can kennel owners/operators.
2007-12-16 06:45:15 · answer #11 · answered by hello 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋