? for Cl-Cat, or anyone else who may...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
? for Cl-Cat, or anyone else who may...
11
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 3:09pm
... be able to answer:

I've hit some sort of quarter-life crisis here, in that I DESPISE my job and want desperately to do something else. I would love to work with animals, and my first choice would be to do an Animal Health Technology course. However, there is only one school in the entire province that offers this, and it is 5 hours away from me.

My question is, how credible is a distance ed degree in this field? DE would work for me on a few levels: 1. It is cheaper, 2. I can do it at home, and 3. I could keep my loathsome job so I'd still have income while I am studying. But I don't want to invest the time or $$$ if the piece of paper will be useless.

What do you think, Cat, since you do work in the field? Any advice is greatly appreciated and welcomed!!!



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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2002
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 3:44pm
I just wanted to give you lots of hugs of support. I also dislike my job since it's not what I went to university for, and I hate the long commute. Maybe we can both get certified as vet techs & support each other!

I look forward to seeing what Cat has to suggest for you. I'm hoping it is possible for you to get a job you love with the distance ed degree.

(((Hugs)))

Suzy


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 4:09pm
Thanks Suzy. I need all the support I can get. I'm only 25 and I already feel like I've hit some sort of brick wall with regards to my career. I've come to realize there is nothing I can do that will make me happy without going back to school first. I am willing to do it, but I want to know that what I pay for will be worth it in the end. I've already flushed tens of thousands on a university degree I'm not using, and unfortunatly am still paying for. It's not like I can empty my brain and get a refund. LOL!

The AHT program at the school 5 hours away sounds like a great program. It is 2 years long, very intensive and hands-on, and admissions are limited and very competitive. On the other hand, the distance course I checked out can be completed in as little as 6 months, and anyone can do it. That makes me a tad nervous.

Though I would prefer AHT, the other option would be to take a Veterinary Office Assistant course here, but I would have to quit my job and become a full-time student again, obviously severely limiting my income. But it would only be for 6 months. Aaaargggh! So much to think about.

I thought I wasn't going to think about this stuff until after August? *sigh*



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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 4:54pm

Hi Unicorn.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 5:50pm

Hi there,


I know that there are online courses you can take and I've also seen some that are advertised on TV, in the end, it all depends on what is required in your province.

Cat =^..^=
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 6:05pm
Thank you Cat. Wow, that is so scary that someone with zero training can do your job in some places. I just assumed a vet tech would require some kind of credentials. IMO, that's like hiring someone off the street to be a nurse!

I will have to look into provincial laws/requirements. The distance ed course I looked at is offerred by a national Canadian distance-only school that claims to "certify graduates to work in a veterinary office in as little as six months". It doesn't seem to have any fine print about individiual provincial requirements.

Thank you again!



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Registered: 01-23-2002
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 8:57pm
Hang in there....I do know how you feel. I also have a degree I never used, and it's frustrating. I know I'd have to go back & take classes to become qualified in something I'd really enjoy. Decisions, decisions, right? LOL Take it easy & try to not drive yourself crazy (try to wait till after August, like you mentioned). You got some good advice here from Cat & Leslie. Is it possible to shadow for a few days at a local vet's office to see what you think of a typical day as a vet tech? I was offered that opportunity from my dad's vet and I'm seriously considering it. Do some research and find out what's required in your province. I am really rooting for you!!! Talk it over with your bf and decide what you both feel you can cope with to make your dream come true.

(((Hugs)))

Suzy


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 06-21-2004 - 10:35pm
I trained as a AHT in Alberta quite a few years ago, and as far as I knew back then, you couldn't work to get your certificate. I went to school full time for 2 years. If you think you can do the work load at home go for it!! But you will probably still have to do a practicum somewhere and you may need to do some in-class classes. I would really look into it, I loved doing it when I was working!!

Tami Cl-Royalkitties


acat_walkr.gif

Tami Cl-Royalkitties

acat_wa

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 06-22-2004 - 3:04pm
Well, I did some research, and apparantly you can not qualify to work as an Animal Health/Veterinary Technologist/Technician anywhere in Canada without a minimum 2-year college degree. I mean, that's great news for our pets and everything, but it sincerely sucks for those of us not near a school.

LOL - slightly off track, but the university I went to has one of the best DVM schools in North America, if not the world (U of Guelph, in Guelph, Ontario), and it is extremely difficult to get into. There was a running joke on campus that people who couldn't get into the vet program went to medical school as a second choice. Imagine! "Why did you become a doctor?" "Because I couldn't get into Vet school". Hee hee.

Anyway, it's all good. This is certainly not my life's first disappointment, nor will it be the last. I'll get over it. What is meant to be will be!

I read the description of that distance ed course a little more carefully, and the course is essentially for a veterinary OFFICE assistant, not "technical" assistant. They just don't actually use the word "office". Oh well, I was thinking about doing that too, so I requested an information package for the hell of it.


Edited 6/22/2004 3:10 pm ET ET by unicorn21



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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 2:28pm
It would be such a reward to work with animals!

Avatar for missourigrl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 2:44pm
I just wanted you to know that I know exactly how you feel! I'm 24 and feel the EXACT same way. I don't like my job either and it isn't what I went to school for either. I've thought about going back to school for something else as well. Something in the verterinary field has definitely crossed my mind since I too love animals! But, there are only a couple of schools here and I don't think they offer anything like that. Most of the classes they offer are during the day and I would have to quit my job to go back to school and that isn't an option for me right now. I feel stuck!

Kristen

 

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