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I've recently made the decision to change jobs, quite drastically. I'm 27 and have been working in a QA lab as a Microbiologist for the last 5 years. I hold a university degree in Music and Sound Technology (weird, right?). I've always wanted to work with animals, always, and although I know that I'll take a significant pay cut to start at the bottom of a new industry I'm more than willing to do it. I'm going to try and get a day a week volunteering at a practise to a) determine if this is absolutely something I want to jack in my current job for and b) get my foot in the door and get a bit of experience. Does this sound feasable? Am I likely to be taken on as a veterinary nurse/assistant somewhere with no veterinary qualifications/experience? My current role has a few transferrable skills (working in a clean room environment, following SOP's, being aware of regulations, autoclaving, etc) and I have a passion for animals and their care and am comfortable handling any animal. I hope this isn't too vague, or pie in the sky for that matter, but any pointers/advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm in the UK for what it's worth.
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# ¿ Jan 14, 2017 11:50 |
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# ¿ May 19, 2024 08:27 |
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Slugworth posted:On the chance that nobody with specific UK knowledge answers, I'll chime in with this - In the US, as an assistant, absolutely. As a tech (nurse in the uk?), it's tougher to find no experience necessary jobs, and they're very low paying comparatively, but they're out there. If techs/nurses are licensed in any capacity in the UK, you might help yourself out by enrolling in a program - Being in one got me job interviews I didn't otherwise meet the requirements for when I got into the industry 2 years ago. Thanks for the info. I'm happy to start out as the UK equivalent of an assistant to get my foot in the door and begin learning on the job and gain work experience. I see many job postings for RVN's (registered veterinary nurse) and others that just seek a veterinary nurse, some ask for relevant diplomas, some don't. Ultimately I think I need to ring around a few places and ask for some honest advice on the local situation with seeking work in the field. My preference is to learn on the job though, I've always faired better this way in terms of drive and my ability to retain what I'm learning. I'm fairly aware of the pay situation, as it stands I'd be earning less than half what I do now and I've done the maths, it's a pay cut I can both afford and am willing to take. May I ask for a rough timeline of your 2 years working in the field, how's it been? Any frustrations with getting that first job? ANything you really wish someone had told you before making the switch? YourCreation posted:So I suppose you need to find out what the answer to that desire is, as there are so many ways to work with and help animals. Working with NGOs/charities/activist groups in any capacity (lawyer, advertising, fund raising, coding, public relations) can help a lot of animals but will not necessarily put you into direct contact with them. On the flip side, as a veterinarian or veterinary nurse you will be helping a small amount of animals directly, but will likely do little for "animals" as a whole. If the veterinary path is the one you want to take, then I would contact the veterinary schools in the UK and talk with one of their admission team. They often have non-traditional students applying, so they can guide you on what you will need to be competitive. You can do the same with other programs (zoology, ethology, etc), and start checking things of the lists. Most places in the UK are pretty amenable to people coming in and seeing what the job is like, although they might be a bit hesitant with someone of your age. Perhaps getting a part time or zero hour reception/assistant job to get a taste for what it is like could be helpful. I've thought hard about this for years... it's the direct contact of helping individual animals that I would like. My current job inadvertantly improves the lives of many, but I don't see the results first hand as I'm so far removed from the patient and I've found it quite disullusioning. Thanks for the schooling info though, that's definitely an avenue I will consider if/when I want to further my reach in the industry. As I said above, on the job training/learning is where I can excell so I'm just hoping that it's feasable to get a full-time contract as a trainee (not apprentice) and learn the ropes from there. Obviously if any schooling after that is required it is something I would like to do. Thank you both
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# ¿ Jan 15, 2017 16:16 |
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Slugworth posted:I went into my first job with a year's worth of education, but absolutely no hands on experience. So it was helpful in that nobody was really talking above my head, but I was fairly useless at first. No one particular task is difficult to learn, but there is a lot of stuff that takes time to really master. So you'll get competent quickly, but you might not be good for awhile. You'll probably be better at some aspects of clin path than anyone in the clinic though, so that's nice. Thanks for the info. I can be a people person for sure, I'm definitely keen on the educating/comforting side of things too. I don't doubt certain things will be tough on myself mentally but it's something I currently feel I'll be able to ride with... time will tell, of course. Having researched a bit more on entry requirements I'm starting to think that perhaps I should start out as an animal care worker and move into vet nursing from there, it seems a lot more accessible and I can get qualified online with a relevant job in animal care. At least then I can get some basic animal handling/care experience. Does this sound like a reasonable route to take? I will of course get more focused employment advice but have not yet had time to do so what with work and everything so everyone's input here is greatly appreciated.
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# ¿ Jan 16, 2017 17:36 |