Working and vet school?????

[caligirl03]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So, I have been working at a grocery store since I got out of high school at 18 and I have about a year and a half until I finish my B.S. and I want to apply to vet school next summer and I was just curious if it is possible to work while you are in vet school??? Because I know that you are in class and when you're not you're studying your a** off so I was wondering if I should quit when I start vet school or transfer to another store close to the school???? Any advice??

 

[luplodw]

I talked to some people in vet school, and they said it was super difficult to work and go to school. Some people manage to have part time jobs. If you are looking to make money, you can be the school's rep for different companies (like dog food). One girl told me that she held a part time job, and I asked her how often she worked. She said she only worked 2 days a month!!! I laughed and she said that it was hard enough finding time to work those two days

 

[svendenhowser]

Pretty much everyone I know HAS to work to survive (there are the kiddlies who get centrelink money or parental support though). I only work 8hrs a week as an RN but everyone else works anything between 8-20hrs/week just to make ends meet. Two of us have mortgages to pay for as well. You get by and make do, the only times it becomes an issue is during exams/heavy mid-semester times, but if you can somehow get permanent part-time work (so you get sick leave, annual leave, etc) then it's great!

 

[Highlsnds3]

I plan on keeping my job. I have worked 8am-6pm Sat. and Sun. for the last 2 years while doing all my pre-req. work (and picking up extra days during school breaks). I talked to a first year during interviews (at UTK) and she said working weekends should be no big deal, but don't count on being able to handle working during the week. I'm thinking I might take one weekend a month off from work a month though, just so I can have some down time. I'm going to play it by ear though.

 

[BlacKAT33]

another thread about working in vet school

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=724392&highlight=working

 

[that redhead]

I've realized that working has made maintaining my undergraduate GPA difficult (hello, explanation statement!) so if I can get away with not working during vet school, it will probably be best for me as a student. I'd like to find something to do to "unwind", so I'm assuming I'll dig up some volunteer work or maybe just some weekend hours.

To be honest, I think it really depends on you, personally. If you can manage the hours and still keep up your grades, go for it. But at least the first semester I would not work and let yourself adjust, then decide if you can handle anything else.

 

[OnceBitten]

Don't give up on the job idea just yet. I'd honestly hang onto it and see how I did with working during the first semester. If it's not working out, you can always quit at that point. No sense in jumping the gun.

For what it's worth, I now have two jobs in vet school. Both are very part time, though, and I would advise against working more than 15 hours per week... even on weekends. Ideally, you should try to keep it to 10 or less, though, but it's worth it for the extra money (and experience if you work in a clinic). It's not for everyone, though. Just play it by ear.

 

[sumstorm]

I run a business, but I already had it underway before vet school, and I make my own schedule. I do not know anyone that works more than 12 hours max/wk (and generally not every week)...and I know several who tried to do @ that or less and couldn't. It may also depend on if your school has focus areas with differing requirements (my focus area requires lots of electives and research, so more time in school), which school you go to, how active you are in clubs and such, and what oppurtunities (wetlabs, field trips) you are willing to give up. I think the most important aspect of a job while in vet school is flexability (I need XX off b/c I have 2 exams, a proposal, & a presentation that week!)

 

[VeganSoprano]

I think for me work may be a necessity in order to keep my sanity. I seriously dislike school, but I absolutely love working. Going to school without working has a way of making me seriously depressed, which destroys my grades.

 

[sunshinevet]

Our school has about 30hrs/wk class at the moment, and I work between 10-20 hrs/wk. If I did not work, I would have no way to support myself - we don't borrow money over here to pay for our living, I live across the other side of the country from my parents who can't afford to support me, and I'm ineligible for government student payments (hopefully this will change!). My grades are fine - definately above average.

However, I'm not the kind of person to go to lectures - I go to labs and workshops, but that accounts for about 15hrs/wk. Mainly because I'm not a morning person, and I don't learn well in lectures. It took me 2 years to admit this and since ive stopped going, my grades have actually improved

That said, I'm extremely worried for fourth year. We spend ~45-50hrs/wk in class, so if I don't gain the student payments, I honestly don't know what I'm going to do.

 

[sumstorm]

I am in class 36 hours a week min, not including research. I did work 40-64hrs/wk in undergrad. No way I could do that in vet school

 

[katryn]

I'm planning on keeping a saturday half-day shift at a clinic. I'd rather keep doing everything I'm doing and cut back slowly until I find a combo that's just right than drop everything and go crazy because I'm only doing school.

 

[caligirl03]

yeah now I work about 24-32 hours a week and if I work 4p-1a on friday, saturday and sunday if that is possible???

 

[OnceBitten]

I really, really, really suggest against working every weekend day. Part of vet school is studying and, for a large portion of us, working, but don't discount the need for free time by yourself, with your friends, with your family, with your pets, etc. Working like that, especially in your first semester, is begging for a burn out. Your job as a vet student is to be a successful vet student, and that includes taking care of yourself and being good to yourself. I would give up one day a week to work for starters and then see how it goes from there.

Also, this isn't necessarily related to your question, but I thought I'd throw it out there: watch out for jobs that open up within the vet school. They're often MUCH more flexible on hours and days, especially around exams, and they usually offer some great opportunities in both experience and networking. It might be worth it to check them out if your current job doesn't work out the way you'd like with your schedule when you start classes.

 

[sumstorm]

Also, working, especially all weekend, could inhibit oppurtunities to make important connections within the vet med community. Doing well professionaly often requires some amoun of networking as well, and there are great oppurtunities during wetlabs and other activities. I wouldn't have my paid research positions (with probable publication) in zoo med areas if I hadn't been an active participant in several organizations, and if the clinicians and professors hadn't had the oppurtunities to learn about me, teach me in small groups during wetlabs, and seen my overall enthusiasm for behavior and exotics. Sometimes the best oppurtunities arise from getting to know those around you.

 

[Kat0303]

I'm planning on keeping a saturday half-day shift at a clinic. I'd rather keep doing everything I'm doing and cut back slowly until I find a combo that's just right than drop everything and go crazy because I'm only doing school.

Of course everyone is different, but I think this (working a half shift once a week) seems MUCH more doable than working two 8 hour shifts on both weekend days. I can think of just a few people in my class (95 people) that work at a non-vet school related job. I imagine it is possible to work the whole weekend or during the week, but for myself at least, that would be unbearable. I agree with the previous poster that it seems tempting to use the time not studying to work, but that would significantly cut down on the itty bitty amount of time that could be used to hang out with friends/watch TV/read a pleasure book or whatever.

So, I agree for those who are set on working to give it a try, because it never hurts and it might work out for you! But, I just wanted to throw it out there that it is very uncommon for students to work while in school, and most just have to live off loans (which isn't ideal of course, but is unavoidable for most).

Also, I agree with the other poster that there are quite a few opportunities to work in a vet school related position that will be very flexible. Those include student drug representatives (like mentioned before), many opportunities for pet sitting, once a week positions at vet clinics around the area, at our school we can be hired as clinical pathology lab technicians, lab animal technicians, student technology technician (basically just hired to do stuff like set up the computer each day for professors, work out any technical problems that come up during class), bookstore employee (we have a very small vet bookstore at UT), and others that I can't think of right now. So, make sure you keep an eye out for stuff like that too if a regular job isn't meshing well with your schedule 🙂


Edit: I say it's uncommon for students to work while in school, but I guess I can only speak for my school. I didn't realize that so many of the overseas students work. I don't see how you guys do it!

 

[Kat0303]

I'm planning on keeping a saturday half-day shift at a clinic. I'd rather keep doing everything I'm doing and cut back slowly until I find a combo that's just right than drop everything and go crazy because I'm only doing school.

Of course everyone is different, but I think this (working a half shift once a week) seems MUCH more doable than working two 8 hour shifts on both weekend days. I can think of just a few people in my class (95 people) that work at a non-vet school related job. I imagine it is possible to work the whole weekend or during the week, but for myself at least, that would be unbearable. I agree with the previous poster that it seems tempting to use the time not studying to work, but that would significantly cut down on the itty bitty amount of time that could be used to hang out with friends/watch TV/read a pleasure book or whatever.

So, I agree for those who are set on working to give it a try, because it never hurts and it might work out for you! But, I just wanted to throw it out there that it is very uncommon for students to work while in school, and most just have to live off loans (which isn't ideal of course, but is unavoidable for most).

Also, I agree with the other poster that there are quite a few opportunities to work in a vet school related position that will be very flexible. Those include student drug representatives (like mentioned before), many opportunities for pet sitting, once a week positions at vet clinics around the area, at our school we can be hired as clinical pathology lab technicians, lab animal technicians, student technology technician (basically just hired to do stuff like set up the computer each day for professors, work out any technical problems that come up during class), bookstore employee (we have a very small vet bookstore at UT), and others that I can't think of right now. So, make sure you keep an eye out for stuff like that too if a regular job isn't meshing well with your schedule 🙂

 

[Kat0303]

oops! please delete the duplicate post! thanks! 🙂

 

[david594]

I work 16-24 hours a week currently (because of the holiday last weekend I worked 32) and its going to be all about the individual in the end. I enjoy working, but at the same time do have to adjust my study schedule around my work schedule.