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I've been in IT support for 14 years. Just moved internally to a QC role, which is OK but I know it's not something I wish to do another 14 years. So while I won't do anything crazy with the economy being what it is I wanted some feedback. My true passion in life is dogs. Is there any way to transfer my skills into an area that would give me the opportunity to do more work with dogs, yet still make a decent living? I'm not looking to get rich but be able to pay the bills. Anyone out there make a simular change? How did you go about it? I don't mind doing something part time to get addtional experience. Thanks in advance!
I cant't think of anything that would translate directly unless you were willing to offer a financially strapped nonprofit shelter to help out with their IT needs from time to time as a sweetener to hire you for animal care duties.
Unless you are some sort of celebrity handler like Cesar Milan you are unlikely to find a well-paying job working with dogs. I understand that some professional trainers that show dogs in the ring do OK, but it takes years of experience to get to a point where you're able to make a living at it.
If I were you I would start volunteering at a local Humane Society or other shelter. Some of them use volunteers for a surprising array of duties. As a volunteer I used to close an SPCA and had to give end of day medications as well as feeding and cleaning and taking behavior notes. It will give you some experience either to take to a job working with dogs, give you a better idea of what you actually want to do with dogs and/or improve your chances to get into a vet tech training program.
Another possibility would be to try to get a part time position with a pet sitting company. I suspect they might have some flexibility about scheduling, etc., but I don't know a lot about the industry.
Your goal is a little like mine. I work in the legal profession but my real passion is working with wildlife. I have been doing volunteer work with wildlife for over 10 years now and have learned a lot. The wildlife sanctuary where I regularly volunteer now has more or less told me that when they have an opening for a post-clinic animal care specialist I could have it. Turnover there is fairly high (in the two and a half years I've been volunteering I'm working on about the third wave of staff), due largely to the low pay. I'm hoping to pay off the house and save up an amount to act as an acceptable rainy day fund and then take a job working with wildlife, either there or elsewhere. I'm pretty confident that I could get a position with an organization with all my volunteer experience and being able to tell the story of financial planning to get to a point where I can take the job.
That's my approach anyway - it may or may not be one that would work for you.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I'm familiar with the jobs available at animal hospitals due to my sister. Unless you become a vet you will not only not get rich but need a second job. From entry level cleanup people to licensed technicians it's minimum wage up to about $15/hour, which must be quite a drop from what you make in IT.
You really could do volunteer work at any animal shelter or rescue, or start an evening dog-walking service and keep your day job.
@ Crow Girl. Funny you mentioned a shelter. I already volunteer with the Boston Terrier Rescue here in NC but recently completed the volunteer orientation at SPCA here. At the time it was shortly after my back surgery. So I can do some other tasks until I can work with the dogs. I know it will take some time. We hope to do the same, get our finances in order and luckily my husband is also in IT and makes good money.So I can eventually take a cut in pay and not negatively affect us. Always nice to hear someone else out there wants to so the same. Good luck with your goals!!
My true passion in life is dogs. Is there any way to transfer my skills into an area that would give me the opportunity to do more work with dogs, yet still make a decent living? I'm not looking to get rich but be able to pay the bills.
If you live in a fairly large metropolitan area, you might want
to consider opening a doggy day spa/day care/hotel. You could
offer many services and sell products. You'll want to choose an
area where affluent folks live, who normally have busy lives
and travel every now and then.
You could offer: dog & cat boarding, grooming & spa, training,
day care, pet portraits, pet playground, overnight stays,
pet supplies/toys, exercise. Check out this list and pay special
attention to those listed with 4-5 stars:
you could contact a company who publishes dog books - such as Barron's - and join their e-books division. the publishing industry is starving for computer folks, and I bet you can telecommute. and make real money, unlike walking dogs, hosing them down, etc!
@caldercay - I have thought of that actually but my plan is to first get some experience in that area. I've tried part time but without the experience they won't call. Soooo I want to actually go to a local doggie day care and one day a week (if they will let me) see if I can volunteer so to speak. They get some free labor and I get to see what it's like to work in a place like that.
@OngletNYC - never would have thought of that! Thanks for that idea as well. I will into that area while I try and get the experience
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