job security

[auguy13]

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Hey just wanted some real life advice from those out in the field. What does job security look like for veterinarians in the South? Comfortable salary and work/life balance for a small family? Worries about the economy? etc. hit me.

 

[david594]

Job market isn't great currently and it's largely unrelated to the current economy. Schools are pumping out more and more vets every year to a disproportionate number of available jobs.

 

[chickenlittle]

Agreed - too many graduates, not enough jobs.

I'm seven years out of school and currently trapped at a corporate job that I hate. Unfortunately, there aren't any other positions in my area and relocation isn't an option. I just keep waiting and hoping that something will open up. Fingers crossed.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Hey just wanted some real life advice from those out in the field. What does job security look like for veterinarians in the South? Comfortable salary and work/life balance for a small family? Worries about the economy? etc. hit me.

Obligatory recent article post

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/b...ap-new-veterinarians.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Job security may be ok, but GETTING a job is the current problem. That and the fact that we take out the same amount of debt as medical students but get paid a third of what human doctors do. It's not for the faint of heart. Comfortable salary is definitely not something I would describe our profession as having. Imagine having 140k in loans (and that is just the AVERAGE) and having an annual starting salary of 60k.

 

[auguy13]

Yeah the outflow of new vets was one of my major concerns which is why I starting looking into human medicine. I guess I have it good in that I know I would have a job getting out of school (family clinics), but didn't want to worry about job security. However, I don't want money to push me in a direction where I won't enjoy my day to day as much.

 

[wombat6]

Hi all,
I hope you don't mind that I ask this question here, as I am only a pre-vet at this time. However, I really need to pick the brains of those currently in or are recent grads of vet programs, so I hope you'll understand. As mentioned by previous poster, I too am considering human medicine after the practicality of vet school just kick me up side the head. My grades are good, my over all stats are competitive from what I see online, but I seriously worry about spending all that time, money and energy (money is the biggest issue) and come out of those 4 years in vet school without a good paying job in a region of the country that I would like to live in -- leading to unhappiness even though I would have my "dream job. "So, I would have spent all that money to have a job that I hate in a place I love, or a job I love in a place I hate with crappy salary. Is that a reality, or have I bought into the hype?

My own experience when listening to vets I shadow is hearing things like "my smart colleagues went into human medicine," and other such info that is more the norm than just something that would pop up on a rough day. Is the jaded attitude common too, or have I again bought into the fear? I am in the middle of trying to figure out if I follow my heart (vet) or my head (human med), so any info you could provide on the actual state of the vet med job availability and satisfaction would be greatly appreciated. I've read the reports, articles, etc., but love to hear from you too before any decision is made. Thank you so much.