VET school worth it ?

[Crossroads88]

I appreciate all the feedback and input, Thank you.
My question has been answered.

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[Lab Vet]

I have loved animals since I was born. I worked at an animal shelter for countless hours to the point where I ended up living on site . Worked with animals in Otjer countries . Have 6 dogs . Eventually started my own animal rescue .
I’ve wanted to be a vet for the longest time unfortunately my parents were vehemently opposed to it and forced me down other paths which I failed at ( I was young and counldnt afford to pay for college on my own , so they paid and they picked ).
Now I have a bachelors degree and am taking pre health courses. After all these years and seeing the realities of working as a vet my passion has dampened a little. I still would do anything for animals but I am at a crossroads.

Let’s imagine a situation where I have the ability to get into either vet school or med school ? Which one should I pick.
I gave you background on how much I have wanted this and my love for animals.
But as I grow older I also value money and financial stability a lot. I am hoping to reach a point where I do make 200,000 ( which is low in my estimation ) to 400,000 to 500,000 a year. ( key word hoping )
I also know that with med school these numbers are within reach. But in the vet field I would have to own my practice to get thAt.
But I also value doing what I love. The sense of fulfillment I get when I work with animals is unmatched. Side note- I hate most people and love all animals . Yes I know I have to deal with owners.

Should I pick something I know and love and settle for less money?

Or should I go for a better financial situation and quench my desire to work with animals by running a shelter or something like that on the side ?

More background - my parents will help me pay for school. I will have little debt .

Anyone felt the way I do went for vet school and wish they totally did something more financially rewarding ? Or the opposite.

Not joining vet school has been my biggest regret, but it’s been so many years since that time and so much has changed since then.
I don’t want to get through med school and day my day to day so much that I feel like I need to go back and become a vet.

Hi OP. Welcome to SDN.

A few comments.

Love of animals = insufficient 'pre-requisite' ON ITS OWN to justify pursuit of veterinary medicine as a career. There are plenty of careers and hobbies that involve work with animals (either hands on, or behind the scenes) that do not require the educational and financial investment demanded by veterinary medicine. Vet med requires 'love' (or at least tolerance of): People (clients and personnel), animals, science, and management (financial, facility) to set an individual up for success. Don't like people (really can't stand them)? DO NOT pursue veterinary medicine as a career- especially as a clinical practitioner (veterinarian who takes care of other people's pets). Even for those specialists who don't interact with pet owners, no animal comes in for treatment with a blank check attached to its collar. People will always be involved, to a greater or lesser degree, in your career as a veterinarian. It's an inescapable fact.

Your salary expectations are completely unrealistic for the majority of veterinarians practicing in the US, regardless of geographic location/practice specialty. Those upper echelon numbers may be reachable by career-senior vets (either multi-clinic practice owners, or those working in some industrial capacity), but even then I think you're reaching. Mean starting salary for veterinarians directly following graduation is around $70K. This number will vary depending upon what part of the country you practice in and what type of medicine you practice. I'd say $200K is pie-in-the-sky, wishful thinking for this career. Toss in the massive educational debt, and your salary hopes and dreams will come crashing down- quickly. If 'high' salary (don't know where you're from, but $200K in my experience is nowhere near 'low') is a major motivator for you, I'd choose another career.

It's unclear from your post if you're already in medical school (and thinking of switching to vet med), or considering applying to both vet and human med at this time. How much experience do you have shadowing either? Before you commit to significant educational debt, and a lifetime of personal sacrifice (for both careers), I recommend that you get out there and actually see, first hand, what people in these careers actually do for a living on a day to day basis. There are so many variants of each career (cardiothoracic surgeon vs. rhematologist; zoo veterinarian vs. public health vet vs. general practitioner) that it's very difficult to generalize. Oh, you hate people -> definitely don't recommend human med, either (for obvious reasons).

The debt. Well, you're more fortunate than 99% of the people who pursue veterinary medicine as a career. This will improve your flexibility greatly upon choosing a specialty/practice environment post-graduation, and also influences your perception of salary. Not sure what else to say here, other than count your blessings and recognize your good fortune.

In summary, if $$$ is a major motivator, vet med isn't for you. If you really can't stand people, neither vet med or human med or for you. Bottom line, shadow- a lot, before you commit to either.

Good luck.

 

[DVMDream]

Based on your post, don't go to vet school. You'll regret it.

 

[variegata]

I'd say it's uncommon for many specialists to even reach $200k in vet med. And that's with an additional 3-4+ years of poorly-paid training and accruing interest on your debt. I think the only way you'd reach $400-5ook is if vet med were your side hustle. Job satisfaction in vet med can be hard enough; if your salary expectations are that high, between that and all the other challenges/bs we deal with, I think you'll be sorely disappointed.

 

[chickenlittle]

I have loved animals since I was born. I worked at an animal shelter for countless hours to the point where I ended up living on site . Worked with animals in Otjer countries . Have 6 dogs . Eventually started my own animal rescue .
I’ve wanted to be a vet for the longest time unfortunately my parents were vehemently opposed to it and forced me down other paths which I failed at ( I was young and counldnt afford to pay for college on my own , so they paid and they picked ).
Now I have a bachelors degree and am taking pre health courses. After all these years and seeing the realities of working as a vet my passion has dampened a little. I still would do anything for animals but I am at a crossroads.

Let’s imagine a situation where I have the ability to get into either vet school or med school ? Which one should I pick.
I gave you background on how much I have wanted this and my love for animals.
But as I grow older I also value money and financial stability a lot. I am hoping to reach a point where I do make 200,000 ( which is low in my estimation ) to 400,000 to 500,000 a year. ( key word hoping )
I also know that with med school these numbers are within reach. But in the vet field I would have to own my practice to get thAt.
But I also value doing what I love. The sense of fulfillment I get when I work with animals is unmatched. Side note- I hate most people and love all animals . Yes I know I have to deal with owners.

Should I pick something I know and love and settle for less money?

Or should I go for a better financial situation and quench my desire to work with animals by running a shelter or something like that on the side ?

More background - my parents will help me pay for school. I will have little debt .

Anyone felt the way I do went for vet school and wish they totally did something more financially rewarding ? Or the opposite.

Not joining vet school has been my biggest regret, but it’s been so many years since that time and so much has changed since then.
I don’t want to get through med school and day my day to day so much that I feel like I need to go back and become a vet.

Meet your financial needs through human medicine, love animals on the side.

 

[Crossroads88]

Hi OP. Welcome to SDN.

A few comments.

Love of animals = insufficient 'pre-requisite' ON ITS OWN to justify pursuit of veterinary medicine as a career. There are plenty of careers and hobbies that involve work with animals (either hands on, or behind the scenes) that do not require the educational and financial investment demanded by veterinary medicine. Vet med requires 'love' (or at least tolerance of): People (clients and personnel), animals, science, and management (financial, facility) to set an individual up for success. Don't like people (really can't stand them)? DO NOT pursue veterinary medicine as a career- especially as a clinical practitioner (veterinarian who takes care of other people's pets). Even for those specialists who don't interact with pet owners, no animal comes in for treatment with a blank check attached to its collar. People will always be involved, to a greater or lesser degree, in your career as a veterinarian. It's an inescapable fact.

Your salary expectations are completely unrealistic for the majority of veterinarians practicing in the US, regardless of geographic location/practice specialty. Those upper echelon numbers may be reachable by career-senior vets (either multi-clinic practice owners, or those working in some industrial capacity), but even then I think you're reaching. Mean starting salary for veterinarians directly following graduation is around $70K. This number will vary depending upon what part of the country you practice in and what type of medicine you practice. I'd say $200K is pie-in-the-sky, wishful thinking for this career. Toss in the massive educational debt, and your salary hopes and dreams will come crashing down- quickly. If 'high' salary (don't know where you're from, but $200K in my experience is nowhere near 'low') is a major motivator for you, I'd choose another career.

It's unclear from your post if you're already in medical school (and thinking of switching to vet med), or considering applying to both vet and human med at this time. How much experience do you have shadowing either? Before you commit to significant educational debt, and a lifetime of personal sacrifice (for both careers), I recommend that you get out there and actually see, first hand, what people in these careers actually do for a living on a day to day basis. There are so many variants of each career (cardiothoracic surgeon vs. rhematologist; zoo veterinarian vs. public health vet vs. general practitioner) that it's very difficult to generalize. Oh, you hate people -> definitely don't recommend human med, either (for obvious reasons).

The debt. Well, you're more fortunate than 99% of the people who pursue veterinary medicine as a career. This will improve your flexibility greatly upon choosing a specialty/practice environment post-graduation, and also influences your perception of salary. Not sure what else to say here, other than count your blessings and recognize your good fortune.

In summary, if $$$ is a major motivator, vet med isn't for you. If you really can't stand people, neither vet med or human med or for you. Bottom line, shadow- a lot, before you commit to either.

Good luck.

 

[Crossroads88]

Thank you,

I have shadowed both vets and multiple doctors. I worked closely with shelters and their vets as well. The human doctor seemed wayyy less stressed.
I do love science and have a bachelors in business and have had extensive experience in the business field. I’ve managed multiple private dental practices business. But I would like to have a more secure career option. I don’t know if this is fantasy but I view a medical degree as a very secure career.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Additionally I should not have said I hate people, because I work closely with them daily. But there I days I hate them, like the time I posted that post.
But I definitely prefer animals over people.

 

[Crossroads88]

Meet your financial needs through human medicine, love animals on the side.

Thank you

 

[Crossroads88]

Based on your post, don't go to vet school. You'll regret it.

I'd say it's uncommon for many specialists to even reach $200k in vet med. And that's with an additional 3-4+ years of poorly-paid training and accruing interest on your debt. I think the only way you'd reach $400-5ook is if vet med were your side hustle. Job satisfaction in vet med can be hard enough; if your salary expectations are that high, between that and all the other challenges/bs we deal with, I think you'll be sorely disappointed.

 

[Crossroads88]

Thank you for your input.

I think I was on the fence because 2 of the vets I worked with and shadowed owned very successful practices and made well over my upper financial goal ( one of them did )
The other was at it .

However the common thread between them was they both didnt seem to love animals like I do. Additionally vet school was their last option of career choices.
Even so, they seemed very satisfied in their careers.

All the vets I shadowed whether starting out or later in their careers seemed extremely satisfied in their careers. Except the shelter vet.

But the thread makes it clear that the avg vet takes years to make that much money. Maybe the area I live in is slightly different.

But I am surprised to hear the bit about job satisfaction.

 

[Caiter92]

But the thread makes it clear that the avg vet takes years to make that much money. Maybe the area I live in is slightly different.

But I am surprised to hear the bit about job satisfaction.

I think you’re missing that most vets will never make over $200k. Even specialists. Even in high income areas. It’s just not realistic unfortunately. If making $400k+ a year is your goal, do not go into vetmed. You will be very disappointed.

 

[chickenlittle]

All the vets I shadowed whether starting out or later in their careers seemed extremely satisfied in their careers. Except the shelter vet.

But the thread makes it clear that the avg vet takes years to make that much money. Maybe the area I live in is slightly different.

But I am surprised to hear the bit about job satisfaction.

This might be an interesting read for you.

Merck & Co., Inc. - First-of-its-Kind Study Reveals Concern about the Future of the Veterinary Profession

"Only 41 percent of veterinarians overall would recommend the profession to a friend or family member; even large numbers of those that score high in wellbeing and mental health do not recommend the profession. The endorsement rate drops to 24 percent for those 34 years old and younger. In contrast, 62 percent of veterinarians age 65 and older would recommend the profession."

I don't enjoy this field at all, but I never express that to the people who come shadow in my clinic. This is a customer service job - griping would get me fired. Even if I owned my own clinic, word getting out that a vet is unhappy could cost them a lot of business. So I put on my "happy-ish vet" costume and move on.

 

[Crossroads88]

This might be an interesting read for you.


"Only 41 percent of veterinarians overall would recommend the profession to a friend or family member; even large numbers of those that score high in wellbeing and mental health do not recommend the profession. The endorsement rate drops to 24 percent for those 34 years old and younger. In contrast, 62 percent of veterinarians age 65 and older would recommend the profession."

I don't enjoy this field at all, but I never express that to the people who come shadow in my clinic. This is a customer service job - griping would get me fired. Even if I owned my own clinic, word getting out that a vet is unhappy could cost them a lot of business. So I put on my "happy-ish vet" costume and move on.

<------ well this totally resounds with me and makes sense. I appreciate you taking the time. I totally see how most of them would say they are happy.
On an interesting note, I got the strongest encouragement from vets that were older as your link suggests. The older they were, the more they pushed me to think that it was a great career option.
The youngest vet I spoke with did not say it outright, but in hindsight, sat on the fence. She did not discourage me, but there was no enthusiastic encouragement either.

 

[chickenlittle]

<------ well this totally resounds with me and makes sense. I appreciate you taking the time. I totally see how most of them would say they are happy.
On an interesting note, I got the strongest encouragement from vets that were older as your link suggests. The older they were, the more they pushed me to think that it was a great career option.
The youngest vet I spoke with did not say it outright, but in hindsight, sat on the fence. She did not discourage me, but there was no enthusiastic encouragement either.

The profession was a lot different when those older vets started. At that time, it was possible to start a practice with minimal equipment and, therefore, minimal startup costs. Now, clients expect every clinic to have a lot more technology... digital x-rays, in-house labwork, dental x-rays, etc etc. The old guys could start a practice pretty easily, while younger veterinarians have much higher startup costs to contend with. Add to that the fact that corporations can pay FAR more for existing, profitable practices than an individual veterinarian ever could, and it just makes for a much different environment than back in "the good old days" of vet med.

 

[twelvetigers]

I like the answers you got here. Good luck.