im confused.....

spike06 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 10:17 PM

about what to do for a career. i know im only 14 and still have 4-5 yrs to think it over, but im torn between 2 things. an exotic vet, and starting and owning a pet store that specializes in aquatics and reptiles. im not sure which one i want to do. for everyone here who does one of these jobs or knows someone who does, can u give me some pros and cons? i know being a vet brings more money, and im jewish so i like that

i wanna be an exotic vet because, there are very few good ones, and i like animals. same thing goes for owning a pet store. someone please help!

Smits · #2 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 10:37 PM

Do whatever one you think you'll like the most.....and let me tell you, a lot of school work for a vet degree

spike06 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 10:47 PM

i know all the school required. but my problem is i dont know which one ill enjoy the most

blondemafia26 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 11:26 PM

Do both become a Vet for a long enough to save the money up to start your own pet shop and Be a vet all in one . but youll make your mind up as time comes .

Stargazer · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike06

about what to do for a career. i know im only 14 and still have 4-5 yrs to think it over, but im torn between 2 things. an exotic vet, and starting and owning a pet store that specializes in aquatics and reptiles. im not sure which one i want to do. for everyone here who does one of these jobs or knows someone who does, can u give me some pros and cons? i know being a vet brings more money, and im jewish so i like that

i wanna be an exotic vet because, there are very few good ones, and i like animals. same thing goes for owning a pet store. someone please help!

I wish I could help you. I'm way older than you, and I still don't know what I wanna be when I grow up. In fact, I'm not sure I wanna grow up.

The only thing I can add is that one of your choices requires many years of schooling, and the other requires none. It helps to be very committed to veterinary medicine before signing yourself up for 8 years (I think) of advanced education. If you want to own a pet shop, all that is required is to be a very good worker there, and work your way up through the ranks. If you do go to school for that, you will want to study business.

You will never know which one you will like until you try one! Either choice you make will be a learning experience and help you with the next step. I have had several different careers and didn't get my massage cert till I was 38. Oh, and funny, being Jewish didn't help me in the money department. I'd spend it all on clothes anyway.

Ursa Minor · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 11:52 PM

Why not do both? Get the Vet experience, and then after running a highly successful practice expand to include a shop where everyone dreams about going...some place where the people care about the animals and are knowledgeable too.

stalk · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 11:58 PM

I'd suggest being a vet. Unless you have rich parents, the chances are you don't have the finances to start your own business, and working at a low income job won't help you earn the money. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it'll be years and years of hard work.

But be honest with yourself. Take a look at the grades you're getting now. More specifically, take a look at the grades you get in the classes you HATE. If you're not getting B's or preferrably A's in it, and devoting hours a week to homework already, there's very little chance you will suddenly change for vet school.

It's not easy. It sounds like something that would make you motivated and excited to do, but once you get there and find out how much work is involved and how much pointless stuff you have to learn and memorize it wont be much different than the classes you hated in high school.

I'm not trying to be a downer I don't know your grades or how you are school-wise or anything, but reality hits hard and fast with a huge bill you'll spend a long time paying off.

spike06 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ursa Minor

Why not do both? Get the Vet experience, and then after running a highly successful practice expand to include a shop where everyone dreams about going...some place where the people care about the animals and are knowledgeable too.

i actually have been thinking about doing that. i know my desicion will come in time, but im just trying to be prepared. thats the one thing i dont like about being a vet, 8 additional yrs of college after the initial 4. obviously, im gonna do it. thanks for your advice guys. as for my school, the past couple years ive been really lazy,, so ive gotten C's with some B's, but this year im doing my homework, studying, all that stuff and so far have all As and Bs.

Stargazer · #9 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 12:40 AM

Good deal increasing your studying. I was pre-med in college until I took college chemistry. Pay close attention to that one because you'll be seeing a lot more of it....biochemistry, organic chemistry.....UGH!

John_E_Dove · #10 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ursa Minor

Why not do both? Get the Vet experience, and then after running a highly successful practice expand to include a shop where everyone dreams about going...some place where the people care about the animals and are knowledgeable too.

YES!!!! That is the way to go!!!
And marry Ursa so you have someone around with a good head on their shoulders.
All seriousness aside, that would be a terrific plan incorporating both of your youthly desires into one. Specialize in Reptilians and move to South East Colorado and you’ll get all my business if I am still around by the time you start your practice.

spike06 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_E_Dove

YES!!!! That is the way to go!!!
And marry Ursa so you have someone around with a good head on their shoulders.
All seriousness aside, that would be a terrific plan incorporating both of your youthly desires into one. Specialize in Reptilians and move to South East Colorado and you’ll get all my business if I am still around by the time you start your practice.

lol. im sure ull still be around in 30 years(depending how old u are now

) im staying right here in alpharetta, GA. like i said before, i want to specialize in reptiles and aquatics, and maybe even some birds( i love cockatoos and mcaws, even tho they are extremely loud)

-KB- · #12 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 01:22 AM

I would love to own a pet store, but financial liabilities aside, its tough emotionally. Just the other day, I was at our local pet store (family owned, very small) and a guy came in wanting to buy a redtail boa. When the clerk told him that they would not be receiving any until moving to their new location in September, he asked her if she had any ball pythons. She gave him the same answer as before, only to be asked if she had any corn snakes. It made me very sad. He just wanted something, and he wanted it yesterday. I feel that if it was an animal that he was going to cherish and love, he would have held out for it. I dunno, it was just depressing. It seemed like as soon as he found a red tail he wouldn't care about what he had, because it was just a time keeper until he got what he really wanted. That was the vibe I got. I dont know where exactly I'm going with this except to say that sometimes you'll have to sell to people you don't want to. You'll get that vibe like they aren't going to take care of the animal, but you can't refuse the sale becuase you don't actually know. Then if you've got a conscious the size of Texas, it'll eat at you...."I wonder how that beardie is doing.....that ball python....that redtail". But you just don't know. All you can do is hope for the best.

Being an avid animal proxy and lover I would have a very hard time owning a pet store. Every customer would have to go through a rigirous (sp) adoption interview and have to prove their knowledge before being allowed to bring the animal home. Ugh they would hate me lol.

On the vet side, it can be very tough, but if your heart is in it, its worth the years and money you spend getting that liscense.

This is the best I can express my feelings on this subject, and this is just the surface. I could write for days

BoaVixen · #13 (**permalink**) 08-23-2007, 04:30 AM

As an 18 year old, with a tiny bit more experience in the same dilemma. I wouldn't stress about it. You have to consider both every day. One will shine for you one day. If neither one does when you are 18, then do both. Nothing is set in stone and so you could always leave college and start a business. You seem like an awesome person and it sounds like you will definitely contribute to the world (especially the world of reptiles) no matter what you choose.

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