LAM? Year off? Advise please~!

[MidnightMoon]

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So I've been thinking about going into Laboratory Animal Medicine for a while-mostly because I really want to work with rats and a large variety of other animals. The problem is I really dont know how to go about finding someone to shadow in that field. I know my school has a door with a sign that says "Animal Room" on it, but Im almost 100% sure that there are no animals in it. Raleigh (NC) is only about an hour and a half away from me and Im sure there would be something for me there if I looked hard enough, but I would have to give up my job to go that far. Heck I dont even know if I have time if I found something in the city.

What Im thinking about is taking a year off between undergrad and vet school. Im currently a junior but I already know Im going to be a fifth year senior so I have two years left (Never Trust Advisors). The only vet experience I have right now is about 800 hours of SA. I know I need more diverse things but I want to keep the job I have now- so I have to work around it. Over next summer Im going to try and get a wild life internship and I REALLY wanna do the Disney internship thing if I can (I know my boss will let me take time off from work for both of those). But then theres still LA and research and equine and sooo much more I should look into-which is why Im considering the year off. Plus I might just need that break from school. The only problem is I know people take that "year" and just stay gone. What would you do? I just need some advise!


Sorry for the long post and any misspellings. Its late (for me)! Also which schools would you recommend for someone intending to go into LAM?

 

[goldielocks137]

Many, many people don't get in straight out of undergrad anyway, so you might not have a dilemma on your hands. You could apply and see what happens or take the year off. I think a year off is going to be a good break from school and could give some perspective.

 

[MidnightMoon]

Many, many people don't get in straight out of undergrad anyway, so you might not have a dilemma on your hands. You could apply and see what happens or take the year off. I think a year off is going to be a good break from school and could give some perspective.

Keke so true. I think when Im ready Ill apply to just my IS school and if I dont get in, well heres my year off. I think I really need the time anyway but my parents and friends are drilling the "dont do it" argument into me. That'll satisfy us both.

 

[that redhead]

I've been a lab animal tech for nearly three years now. I found the position through my university. Search around on your university web page and look for someone in charge of the research division. Alternatively, search for your campus veterinarian, which is who I work with now.

Another thing to look into is the ALAT/LAT/LATG certification programs (www.aaalac.org). If you don't get in but want to pursue lab animal medicine as a career (or just do something lab animal related between cycles), its a good launch point. I'm not really sure which schools focus on lab animal medicine - my boss went to Georgia, but went through the military and did a lot of work after that.

 

[chris03333]

So I've been thinking about going into Laboratory Animal Medicine for a while-mostly because I really want to work with rats and a large variety of other animals.

No offense, but please do not say this if you interview..😎