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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to be a vet at 30?

34 replies

Buddhasgirl · 14/02/2015 17:04

posting here for traffic and honesty of course. I have a strong desire and determination to get myself a proper career, one that I not only enjoy but will allow me to provide a stable future for my kids and be a good example for them growing up also.

OP posts:
DrownedReindeer · 14/02/2015 18:15

I could never make it as a vet, but at 45 I regret not training as a vet nurse. I have many years in animal rescue and only within the last week (after seeing the most horrendous case of abuse/neglect) I have realised that it's a path I could have travelled. If you really think you could do it, please go for it :)

squoosh · 14/02/2015 18:18

I know someone who started training as a vet at 36. He doesn't have kids though so makes it easier.

Ketchuphidestheburntbits · 14/02/2015 18:19

Being honest, I wouldn't consider studying such a difficult course while my children were young, especially if you are thinking of having another baby. Veterinary science is very different to an HND in social science and far, far more demanding even for the very brightest students.

I think you would be better off to consider a course in veterinary nursing as a more realistic career, at least to start with. Sorry to sound negative, as it's so fantastic that you want to study in order to provide a better future for your children.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 14/02/2015 18:20

Bhuddhas is there a particular field you are looking for (small animal/farm animal/equine?)

Have you considered training as a farrier (if horses are your option?)

temporarilyjerry · 14/02/2015 18:31

DrownedReindeer not too late.

BrainyMess · 14/02/2015 18:37

Go for it.

Unless you try you will never know.

BTW 30 is nowt

Im 45 an eyeing up a change of career :)

AddToBasket · 14/02/2015 18:40

OP, you should definitely go for it. People told me I was crazy to do a Law degree with small children but it was OK. Just got to be organised.

That said, the fact that you have said you want another child really rings alarm bells with me. I don't think you should go back if you aren't already at the 'next stage'. You will not be able to satisfactorily 'pause' the course to have another baby. Getting a job as a vet will require a lot of momentum and holiday work and CV building. Doing it while pregnant/with a very young child is not going to work. All the activities are for un-baggaged 21yos and you will have to work round that with the children you already have, nevermind a baby. Have the baby, then start a bit later.

LaLaLaaaa · 14/02/2015 18:46

Not unreasonable, but you do need top notch grades (3 As at a level or Scottish equivalent) in science and maths plus a lot of work experience working with different animals - farms, equines, seeing vet practice, abbatoir etc. I have met a 40 year old vet student before. If you are not scientific or maths academically minded I'm afraid it would be a no go.

If it's your first degree you should qualify for student loans but it's still expensive. You also need to be able to carry on getting work exp in uni vacations (lambing etc).

Definitely check it out but competition for places is fierce and bear in mind you might not get into the uni close to you so you may need to move if you get in elsewhere.

VN would be worth investigating as an alternative.

littleash789 · 14/02/2015 18:52

Another vet here- my advice would be to find a local clinic and volunteer with them, long term, and actually see what the job entails day in day out, before you make a decision.
I love my job and will miss it while I'm on maternity, but if I had my time again... I don't know if I'd put myself through it all again. When things are good it's a fantastic job, when you work with the right team and have found your confidence- I'd put myself at that stage now, being graduated a few years- then it can be such a rewarding job.
BUT for new grads, in jobs with no support- there's plenty of bad bosses around, we have no union!- then it can be incredibly demoralising and draining. We have only recently really started to recognise compassion fatigue within the profession, and as yet, haven't found good ways of supporting each other through the bad times- the weeks on end where it's you getting blamed for client's bad choices and lack of funds to give even basic primary care, where your favourite clients lose their pets to awful illnesses that you've tried everything for and nothing has made a difference... it can be heartbreaking.
I'll miss my job for the next few months. But I'm so glad for a break!

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