6 answers
Madisyn
Student
Clearfield, Utah
4
Questions
Asked
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Can I do two careers at once?
Can I become a veterinary technician and an sonographer/ultrasound technician? I wish to work with animals and become a tech in vet med but need something to pay as well and seem to find this career a go idea. Can I be both? If not at the same time, could I still get the career for both at different points, like do one first and then do another?
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6 answers
LENA AMANQUAH, DO FAAP
provider
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
LENA’s Answer
Yes you can do both but each is 2 years of study so four years in total
Sahida Khatun
Software Consultant and Analyst
78
Answers
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Updated
Sahida’s Answer
Option 1: Pursuing Both Careers Simultaneously
Part-Time Work: Work part-time in one field while completing the necessary education or certification for the other. For example:
Work as a veterinary assistant or technician while attending school for sonography.
Once you’re certified in both, you could split your time between animal clinics and human healthcare facilities.
Specialization: You might find a niche in veterinary sonography, where you use ultrasound technology for animals, blending your interests and skills from both fields.
Feasibility Considerations:
Working two jobs may require flexibility, especially since healthcare and veterinary clinics may need coverage during similar hours.
Balancing work hours and personal time is critical to avoid burnout.
Option 2: Sequential Career Path
Start with One Career:
Begin as a veterinary technician (2-year program), which is quicker to enter and aligns directly with your passion for working with animals.
Gain work experience and financial stability while considering the transition to sonography.
Transition to Sonography:
Later, enroll in a diagnostic medical sonography program (typically 2 years for an associate degree).
Many sonography jobs offer better pay, allowing you to fund further studies or invest in veterinary specialization.
Lifelong Learning Approach:
This path lets you explore both fields at different life stages without overwhelming yourself with simultaneous responsibilities.
Key Considerations
Educational Requirements:
Veterinary Technician: Associate’s degree in veterinary technology and passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
Sonographer/Ultrasound Technician: Associate’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography and certification through ARDMS or CCI.
Time Management:
Both careers involve hands-on work and continuing education, so time commitments for training and ongoing certifications should be factored in.
Career Synergy:
If you choose veterinary sonography, your skills as a sonographer would be a valuable asset in the veterinary field, creating a unique specialization.
Job Demand and Salary:
Veterinary technicians typically earn less than sonographers. If financial stability is a concern, starting with sonography might be more practical while volunteering or part-timing in vet clinics.
Conclusion
Yes, you can pursue both careers! If doing both simultaneously seems challenging, focusing on one and transitioning to the other later is a smart and sustainable plan. Your interest in working with animals and your practical need for financial stability can align well with careful career planning. Let me know if you’d like help mapping out the education or certification steps for either career!
Part-Time Work: Work part-time in one field while completing the necessary education or certification for the other. For example:
Work as a veterinary assistant or technician while attending school for sonography.
Once you’re certified in both, you could split your time between animal clinics and human healthcare facilities.
Specialization: You might find a niche in veterinary sonography, where you use ultrasound technology for animals, blending your interests and skills from both fields.
Feasibility Considerations:
Working two jobs may require flexibility, especially since healthcare and veterinary clinics may need coverage during similar hours.
Balancing work hours and personal time is critical to avoid burnout.
Option 2: Sequential Career Path
Start with One Career:
Begin as a veterinary technician (2-year program), which is quicker to enter and aligns directly with your passion for working with animals.
Gain work experience and financial stability while considering the transition to sonography.
Transition to Sonography:
Later, enroll in a diagnostic medical sonography program (typically 2 years for an associate degree).
Many sonography jobs offer better pay, allowing you to fund further studies or invest in veterinary specialization.
Lifelong Learning Approach:
This path lets you explore both fields at different life stages without overwhelming yourself with simultaneous responsibilities.
Key Considerations
Educational Requirements:
Veterinary Technician: Associate’s degree in veterinary technology and passing the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
Sonographer/Ultrasound Technician: Associate’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography and certification through ARDMS or CCI.
Time Management:
Both careers involve hands-on work and continuing education, so time commitments for training and ongoing certifications should be factored in.
Career Synergy:
If you choose veterinary sonography, your skills as a sonographer would be a valuable asset in the veterinary field, creating a unique specialization.
Job Demand and Salary:
Veterinary technicians typically earn less than sonographers. If financial stability is a concern, starting with sonography might be more practical while volunteering or part-timing in vet clinics.
Conclusion
Yes, you can pursue both careers! If doing both simultaneously seems challenging, focusing on one and transitioning to the other later is a smart and sustainable plan. Your interest in working with animals and your practical need for financial stability can align well with careful career planning. Let me know if you’d like help mapping out the education or certification steps for either career!
Godfrey Magawe
Clinical officer nephrology
116
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Godfrey’s Answer
Good concern,for sure you can persue a career as a veterinary technician and still proceed in persue sonography,however it would be ideal to take animal sonography as an option.
Kate Laflin
Licensed Veterinary Technician
3
Answers
Ladson, South Carolina
Updated
Kate’s Answer
Licensed Veterinary Technician here, I would say you can absolutely do both. With the caveat that right now there isn't a defined career path for a veterinary technician ultrasonographer. Currently, I see the veterinary internist, criticalist, or radiologist doing their own ultrasound and interpreting the findings. There is a potential for the LVT to perform the ultrasound in a general practice setting and submit the video/images via telehealth platforms for a radiologist to review. However, LVT's are unable to diagnose or prognose, so outside of obtaining the imaging, we cannot interpret findings. A skilled veterinarian is still required, and sometimes they would rather obtain the imaging themselves, or refer to a specialist.
That said, there is the potential for a Veterinary Technician Specialty in diagnostic imaging, as there are several societies and academies specializing in various aspects of veterinary technology. You may just have to carve that career path and help build the specialty!
I have a family member who is a human ultrasound technician, and she has the same base degree (associates in science) as me but certainly came out of school earning much more! I'd say the role is less emotionally, physically, and mentally demanding as an LVT, and the hours may be better unless you work emergency.
That said, there is the potential for a Veterinary Technician Specialty in diagnostic imaging, as there are several societies and academies specializing in various aspects of veterinary technology. You may just have to carve that career path and help build the specialty!
I have a family member who is a human ultrasound technician, and she has the same base degree (associates in science) as me but certainly came out of school earning much more! I'd say the role is less emotionally, physically, and mentally demanding as an LVT, and the hours may be better unless you work emergency.
Adrian z Ellis
Merchant Representative
8
Answers
Hermitage, Pennsylvania
Updated
Adrian’s Answer
You can do almost anything while working one job and another in your spare business Rythm and development
Hitesh Haran
Product Management
22
Answers
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Updated
Hitesh’s Answer
Hi Madisyn
This is a tricky scenario which requires caution if you really decide to pursue it that way. I am listing out few thoughts, hope it would help you decide one or another way!
1. I would highly encourage you to first list out the your motivational drivers for each of these career paths. One of these has a monetary motivation, you need to figure out what is driving you for the other one.
2. You are always going to need a career which pays your bill, so that needs to be prioritized as primary path over the other things.
3. Regarding the secondary path, it appears you are not after the money. If that's the case, find out what are the different (indirect) means by which you can still be associated with the secondary skills. For e.g. if you are driven by compassion towards animal/sentient being, just ask yourself if it would make more sense to follow a plant based lifestyle? Or can you still help improve the plight of animals by donation money (earned from you primary career path)?
Wish you all the best!
This is a tricky scenario which requires caution if you really decide to pursue it that way. I am listing out few thoughts, hope it would help you decide one or another way!
1. I would highly encourage you to first list out the your motivational drivers for each of these career paths. One of these has a monetary motivation, you need to figure out what is driving you for the other one.
2. You are always going to need a career which pays your bill, so that needs to be prioritized as primary path over the other things.
3. Regarding the secondary path, it appears you are not after the money. If that's the case, find out what are the different (indirect) means by which you can still be associated with the secondary skills. For e.g. if you are driven by compassion towards animal/sentient being, just ask yourself if it would make more sense to follow a plant based lifestyle? Or can you still help improve the plight of animals by donation money (earned from you primary career path)?
Wish you all the best!