[mrs1885]

I'm very unhappy in my career field (accounting for a hotel). I'd love to go back to school to be a vet. Really, really would love to. However, I've never had more than a year of college and with actual major. I can't even begin to imagine how to get into a college that offers classes. Good grief, I'm in my mid 30s! A bit late to go back for that.

Even so, I can't help but think more and more every day that a job workign with animals would be so much better for me than one working with people. Has anyone taken the plunge and walked away from their chosen profession to live that dream??

[DFWgal]

I was studying business administration and economics but I realized my love for animals is bigger so now I'm taking my pre-requisites to go to vet school ^_^

I've volunteered in dog shelters, worked in a dog breeder, etc. and I helped my two babies (golden retrievers) to have their puppies. It's the most exciting thing in the world. I'm so happy there are careers related to all this.

[cleosmom]

10 years ago I was unemployed and volunteered with a local humane society. Considering my involvement accelerated to being on the Board of Directors it broadened my horizons. When my term was up a local boarding facility called and invited me to work for them. I've been there six and a half years now

mrs 1885 it is not too late for you to do something being gainfully employed in the animal world. Ever consider being a vet tech? It wouldn't take as long as an actual vet and you'd be hands on.

My cousin is 44 and just passed her practicals for being a paramedic, if she can do that in her mid forties, you can do what your heart desires.

[Trekkieforlife]

Originally Posted by mrs1885

(snip)Good grief, I'm in my mid 30s! A bit late to go back for that.
(snip)

Nonsense. There are many people who go to vet school in their 30's, 40's and sometimes even 50's. Don't listen to other people and let them tell you things like that. Go for your dreams!!!!

[Giesela]

I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from going back to school but realistically vet school would be at least another 3 years undergrad, several vet school and really expensive.

Its really hard to make a living working with animals unless the animals are being screwed.
Perhaps you could switch to being an accountant for a Vet or Human Society? Money's probably not that great tho.

Perhaps go back to school for just something other than accounting that you like better that doesn't have to do with animals?

[mrs1885]

Well, I found out that my hotel as well as our local lodging assocation (which my GM is on the board of education for) gives out some pretty nice grants to go back to get your education in anything that is hospitality based. And because of the time I've been in management and accounting, the HR Director said I can probably get about 50% of my schooling given to me in life credit. So...... I'm going to go ahead and get the Accounting and Business Management under my belt. I can do a 2 year course in 1 year if I do it full time. A good bit can be done on line and the rest can be done at the University that's about half an hour from my hotel. Figure if I stay at work a few days a week I can run over for classes after work. I'll be exhausted for a year, but I'll get the degrees.

From there I want to take a vet tech class on line and see if I can get into a local vet's office. If I can do that, I'll only have 3 years before my youngest graduates high school. Once the last two kids are moved out I plan on putting the money I was spending to feed / clothe them into vet school if I still want to do it. I know it'll be a lot of money and very, very hard work. But it's been my life's dream.

I told my mother I wanted to do it and she said that even when I was in 1st grade that's what I wanted to do. It really is a dream for me and I might as well give it a shot, right?? I've also got tons of ideas on what I'd ultimately like to do, incorporating the vet office with low cost / no cost spay and neuter plans, a pet supply store with good foods for pets, a grooming area, etc. Just a one stop shop for all pets needs. For it to work out I'm looking at a minimum of 10 years of hard work. But if I can do it, I can do so much for homeless pets; getting them into rescue and foster homes and adopted, doing spay / neuter on homeless animals. I'm just so limited right now and it kills me.

So, we'll see. I've got a year ahead of me just to get the office management / accounting degrees and then get on line in a vet tech class and hope I find a vet that will take me in as an office manager and let me learn the tech side while I'm there. *fingers crossed*

[DFWgal]

I'm happy to read you're following your dreams!

[CheyDee]

Many, many years ago, someone wrote to either Dear Abby or Ann Landers for advice regarding a dramatic career change; the person writing in was quite a bit older than you. I do not remember the letter or reply verbatim, but the gist has stuck with me throughout the years:

You are in your mid-30's now.
If you do not pursue your dream, in 10 years you will be in your mid-40's.
If you do pursue your dreams, in 10 years you will still be in your mid-40's.

Wouldn't it be better to be doing something that you love then?

[spaceemout]

i wish i could

[spaceemout]

good luck!