Non-trads getting experience

[Badger Girl]

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So, all you non-trads out there trying to get experience in.....I'm just having one of those days where I feel like I'm never going to get as many hours as I'd like. Having a full-time job and everything else in life makes it hard to get a lot of hours in. I don't think I even have 100 hours in total and I'm planning to apply for the class of 2014 (2 cycles away). I'm trying to go in on weekends when I can, but by the end of the week, I'm so tired that I really need to wind down and relax from the "regular" work week. Can anyone else relate to this?

How about some stories or advice from you about how you worked experience into your life! Thanks everyone. I need some motivation. 😀

 

[ManatyGrrl]

So, all you non-trads out there trying to get experience in.....I'm just having one of those days where I feel like I'm never going to get as many hours as I'd like. Having a full-time job and everything else in life makes it hard to get a lot of hours in. I don't think I even have 100 hours in total and I'm planning to apply for the class of 2014 (2 cycles away). I'm trying to go in on weekends when I can, but by the end of the week, I'm so tired that I really need to wind down and relax from the "regular" work week. Can anyone else relate to this?

How about some stories or advice from you about how you worked experience into your life! Thanks everyone. I need some motivation. 😀

Hi Badger Girl, I feel your pain! I'm a non-trad, and it was really hard working experience into a full-time job lifestyle. Two years ago, I started volunteering at a small animal clinic (~45 min away from my house) a few Saturdays a month, and it was a blast, but VERY tiring. Basically, I had Sunday to wind down from the week. I didn't get in after applying that application cycle, because I needed more diverse experience (most of my experience was already in small animal clinics from before volunteering there). So last summer, I did some more volunteering on Saturdays riding around with a large animal vet. And then I finally got in this past app cycle and am in the OSU Class of 2012 - so don't give up hope!!!! I sure felt like giving up when I didn't get in last year and kept thinking to myself that I wasn't sure I could go through all that again. But just keep reminding yourself how much this means to you and you'll get through it. It's worth it!

 

[lazyjayn]

Is there a boarding/ trail ride stable near you? back in HS there were a couple places around me that offered what they called "internships", that were really a work exchange deal. Once a week, usually friday evenings, all the "interns" would gather for a lesson- every other week was riding, the alternate weeks were lectures- from farriers, trainers, vets. Then about 8 hours a week was animal care.

Is there a 24 hour vet near you? you could try to see if they'd let you get some hours there. It'd prolly work around your daily sched. better.

Do you work a standard 8-5 m-f sched now? is there any chance you could change your sched? I work retail, which means as long as the store is open, if I can beg bribe or steal the shift, I can change my hours. Can you do something like that to open up normal business hours?

I find that while I have more energy at before work, I am more likely to go someplace straight from work then I am to wake up early for something. Maybe there's someplace looking for shoulder coverage? or even evening kennel help? I don't know what experience you already have.

HTH

half-drunkenly-
-j.

 

[Badger Girl]

Thanks guys, even two replies helps!

Lazyjayn, good idea about the stable. I will check it out. I do some shadowing at a 24 hour clinic, so that helps a lot with going in for odd hours and such. My work schedule is already flexible for me to take classes. I am a social worker in child protective services, so the job is only flexible to a certain extent, especially if I have court (which happens a lot) or if I have to do a removal of children...and that can happen pretty randomly.

I'll keep going when I can, but sometimes I feel like I am moving in slow motion in getting hours in!!

 

[cwazy cat lady]

I wouldn't fear too much--I think that it is clear that with non-trads and others who came to the decision later, that getting hours in is a real challenge. But I agree with others to try to get more diversity rather than all the hours you have in one bin.

I had a very difficult time getting vet clinic experience in Seattle. No clinic would let me volunteer! I also had to work to pay the bills, so I worked as a barista (with tips!) to cover my costs. I ended up volunteering at two shelters, where I now have the bulk of my experience. I shadowed a large/small vet one summer for several weeks (that was really cool!) and only recently got a Saturday job at a vet clinic. I also will start volunteering at the zoo next week (after 6-9 months of waiting for a position), all in the effort to show my diversity, rather than the large number of hours I might have accumulated. I didn't have a chance to get loads and loads of hours, either... (I'm applying this year).

I think that if you can do it as shadowing, you'll find you can get more interesting experiences that also fit with your schedule. The difficult thing is that as a non-trad, you probably have higher living expenses and need to make $$...

Good luck, you can do it!

 

[VAgirl]

The difficult thing is that as a non-trad, you probably have higher living expenses and need to make $$...

This could certainly be true. But if there's any wiggle room there, what about jumping off the deep end into it and just trying to get a job in an area that will get you vet experience. That way you're not trying to balance school and FT work and volunteering on the side. Sure, a lot of those jobs pay bupkiss. But it might help from a sanity point of view.

Could also help from the diversity of experience point of view. Not only could you try to get a job in a vet clinic (small or large animal), you could look into work in a lab (diagnostic lab, pathology lab, research lab--esp. one using animal models) or with public health veterinarians, etc. (Sorry, most of those suggestions are from my own experience, so perhaps somewhat narrow in focus.) Where are you located? I know a huge company that is almost always looking for path technicians (histology and necropsy work). I used to work there. I left because some of the people were driving me crazy (petty lab dynamics). But it was cool experience and you could certainly rack up the hours. They hire new college grads and train them up, too, so no experience really required except a life science undergrad degree. Probably won't be of help to you, but just some food for thought.

 

[Truth74]

Have you talked to your vet about large animal experience? The large animal vets may be able to fit you in, if your full-time schedule is rotating (like mine).
I was looking for months and I just casually mentioned it during my dog's check up. The man started spouting out names and specialties, before I could register what was happening. That's probably why I still go there, even though it's across town.

I was told by my adviser at the CVM that just a few days a month can make a world of difference on the application.
I also got information from the local humane society (which didn't mesh with my need for a full-time job 😉) and the equine rescue where I volunteer.

The names I got from my vet were different than the names I got from those two sources.

 

[bclover]

Yes, I can totally relate as I found it difficult to do more than a few hours a week at a local clinic - which I could ony handle for about 6-8 months - along with work, classes and trying to still have a somewhat happy family life. (Although I feel like it kind of prepared me for what lies ahead the next four years!) I also took a few vacation days and shadowed other vet disciplines.

The information that I got from Illinois (only school I did or could apply to) was that the "quality" of your experience is what counts. What does that mean? In my application I shared a few very real and specific events and what I learned from it, including the significance and impact on veterinary medicine, society, etc.

Good Luck!

 

[Pomona2006]

I can relate to your struggle as well. I am a non-trad student. Fortunately when I decided to switch, I was in grad school for something else, so I didn't have to balance a full-time job with classes or volunteering - I just remained a student and I was already volunteering, but I increased my hours per week. Now I am working full-time where I was volunteering (for the summer before school starts up again) but I am now volunteering at the zoo as well. Zoos seem to have a more complicated and long process but I think it is worth it as the experiences are out of this world. Now I am working 5 days a week and on my 1st day off, I pull a 9-hour day at the zoo and use my second day to relax, unwind, and work on my personal statement (ugh!). It's exhausting but I wanted to get some other experience since it seems like diversity is quite important. I don't think I'll have the opportunity to spend time with a large animal vet or an equine vet before I apply this round, but if I don't get in, that's something I very well might want to do for next year.

Since you've got at least a year before you apply, you have plenty of time to get both hours and diversity. It may be difficult at first to get used to spending one of your days off "working" - just remind yourself that the "work" should be enjoyable because it's what you want to do (as opposed to your current career, that you want to leave). That's what has gotten me through my current situation. Despite the pain my feet feel after six 9-hour days in a row on my feet, I remember how much I hated my life when I had a desk job and am completely in love with the fact that I spend those hours with animals.

Also, think realistically about the number of hours you want/need to get for your application. Many schools have minimums, so look into those and try to determine how many hours you need to get in each week/month in order to have a sufficient amount of hours upon submitting your application. Of course, try to get more than the minimum and try to get them from multiple venues.

Good luck!

 

[purplebunnie]

It is not fun. Not fun.

I did my classes full time from 8-2 in the morning. Then I worked in a vet diagnostic lab two afternoons a week doing ELISA tests. Basic lab skills, so it was easier to get the job. Two nights a week I shadowed a 24 hour practice about 20 minutes from home. Two nights a week I worked my full time job (waitressing) and doubled on the weekend days.

It was exhausting but totally worth it. Once I had my in at the clinic they hired me full time so I got to (happily) quit waiting tables. Money was tight, but it worked out. The misery only lasted for about a year.

A good thing to try when you have oddball free times is wildlife rehabilitation. The laws may differ from state to state - in CT you take a one day class and a test and work 40 hours as an apprentice to a licensed rehabber. They need to have vet support to get their license, so you even get to see things on that end. Plus it's something a little different - so it adds to the whole variety of experience thing. If you do go ahead and put the licensing paperwork in motion, you can kind of pick and choose how much time you want to spend.

 

[tealamutt]

I have to agree with VAgirl- jumping in to a job is the best idea. Yes, you may have to take a huge cut in pay and yes it is hard to get in at first but really it's a terrific option. I think a big part of the reason that so many new DVM grads end up changing fields right out of the gate is because they looked at the 'experience' as a loop to jump through for admissions and not because they looked at it as an invaluable tool to decide if vet med was really for them. Also, the diversity of having lab and clinic experience really paid off for me (according to adcoms at my school).

I got into a vet clinic by first gaining some volunteer experience (sounds like you're doing that now!) and then some basic lab jobs until I found a clinic that would hire me. I feel your pain on the schedule thing too- for a couple of years I was going to classes full time, working full time and volunteering in my 'spare time'. Making the leap to working in a clinic was the most sensible thing even though I think I was even more tired working the long and demanding hours of a tech while in school. Good luck to you!

 

[BrumleyVet]

I too am a non-trad. I've worked in law enforcement for 20 years and can't seem to find time for large animal vet experience. We do not have a zoo within 300 miles, and no large animal clinics are open on the weekends. My work schedule is completely fixed (lucky to get enough time for classes). I started volunteering on Saturdays with a spay/neuter clinic, then was paid for my time after a couple of months. Then they started remote clinics in small towns which were longer days, but more experience. They are only once or twice a month, so you might look into that. I also did a RAVS trip to Tennessee last year and really racked up the hands on experience.

On that topic, how do schools look at personal large animal ownership/experience compared to shadowing a large animal vet? I have learned so much from my vet on my own horses over the years, but not sure how to show it on the app.

 

[VAgirl]

We do not have a zoo within 300 miles, and no large animal clinics are open on the weekends.

Large animal vets are generally on-call after-hours and weekends (when the clinic is closed). Maybe if one got to know a vet and lived near them, they could work out an arrangement to do a ride-along on weekend calls even though the clinic is closed. The large animal vet I shadowed briefly offered to let me do this. Only problem is that I lived about 50 miles away from her. So that wasn't going to work for me, but it might for someone else.

 

[ShelterGirl]

I started out volunteering but wasn't accumulating hours quickly enough ... so I bit the bullet and went into a vet assistant job full-time. I think you can get the experience done part-time, but you'll need to be creative (previous posts had some good suggestions) and a master of time management.

Note: It also depends on the school(s) that you apply to. Some want breadth, some want depth.

 

[Badger Girl]

Good point about doing what the school(s) are looking for, ShelterGirl. I was originally planning to apply to WI (IS for me), MN, and IL, however, things have recently changed, as my dad was recently diagnosed with early onset of Parkinson's. 🙁 I've decided to remain close to home b/c I don't know how quickly things will progress (no one really knows, which is the bad thing about the disease). I think I am only going to be applying to Madison now. I will probably go down there again next spring to go over what I have done so far and then take the next year to work on what they suggest.

 

[pressmom]

I'm really sorry about that Badger Girl. My thoughts are with your family during this difficult diagnosis!

 

[Badger Girl]

🙂Thanks, Pressmom! Nothing can ever go completely smoothly....there will always be bumps in the road! I guess you can just take one day at a time.

 

[Catnapper]

I started out volunteering but wasn't accumulating hours quickly enough ... so I bit the bullet and went into a vet assistant job full-time.

Yeah...I have no idea how you swung that in CA! But hats off to you! 😉 I'm barely making ends meet working F/T in biotech. I'm also at my wits' end:
I'm having a HARD time finding a LA vet to let me follow him/her round (in LA,CA)

I'm thinking that all of the time I've put in volunteering at a farm on the weekends isn't enough (since there's no vet involved--Davis file reviewer said as much)

The vet I P/T for is VERY difficult, & I'm terrified that she won't write me a good eval (& there's not enough time to start elsewhere & get the hours before the Oct. deadline)

I was pre-vet many years ago and have old vet experiences, but in my file reviews following this past cycle, the feedback I got was that my evaluators were from experiences that were too old/not diverse enough.

Sorry to throw the pity party--It feels like I'm killing myself & it still won't be enough, yet some 22-yr-old can come straight from college and not have to meet the same standards. A 22-yr-old, for example, will not be told that her experiences are "too old". Experience is experience, is it not? --Especially whern you're staying up-to-date in the area by working/volunteering in it.

 

[lazyjayn]

Catnapper-

How far are you willing to travel? Is there an spca or other humane society within "reasonable" driving distance that does large animal? Where in LA (vaguely) are you? Does no good to suggest stuff out past San Bernadino when you're in Santa Monica, and vice versa.

'cause if you were on the east side of LA, you could try all the little podunk towns going out toward 29 Palms.

And if you're on the other side... You've 'prolly already tried the vets that work out in topanga.

 

[ShelterGirl]

Yeah...I have no idea how you swung that in CA! But hats off to you! 😉 I'm barely making ends meet working F/T in biotech. I'm also at my wits' end:
I'm having a HARD time finding a LA vet to let me follow him/her round (in LA,CA)

I'm thinking that all of the time I've put in volunteering at a farm on the weekends isn't enough (since there's no vet involved--Davis file reviewer said as much)

I had to save a few years to have enough of a nest egg to do it, to be honest. I also sold my condo at a good time in the real estate market and made a decent chunk from that.

Do you want to go into large animal vet med? If not, then bail on the farm stuff and focus your energy on getting veterinary experience in an area congruent with your career goals. If yes, then you might have to go inland (central valley) to find a vet, or look at zoos, equine events, etc. The big takeaway I got from my first application attempt is that it's great to have diverse animal/vet experiences, but it is also important to have some depth in the area you want to pursue.

I like lazyjayn's shelter idea, esp. if you want to do small animal. That's how I got the bulk of my experience for this application cycle, which is probably obvious from my screen name.

If you're worried about the SA vet not giving you a good recommendation, can you talk to them about that? I asked my potential recommenders to decline if they believed they weren't able to write me a strongly positive LOR for whatever reason (not enough data, thought I was terrible, etc.) That gave me time to find different people if they said no - thank goodness none of them did!

 

[athenaparthenos]

Catnapper -- how important is large animal to you? Unless you're trying to sell yourself as a large animal vet, I'd forget about the difficulty of trying to find a LA vet near you and try to get some other varied experiences. I had NO large animal experience unless you count pygmy goats, which I didn't even mention on my application, and still had 2 acceptances. I had about 2000 hours at a small animal vet clinic, with a lot of varied animal experience -- about 1000 hours in small exotics at the zoo and a local museum, plus research on mice, fish, and cockroaches. So, unless large animal is really important to you, it may be a better use of your time and resources to find some experience that's closer to home but still varied.