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irelyn
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help i want to be someone that works with animals, what should I be?
i want to be someone that works with animals, what should I be?
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6 answers
Julio Morales
DVM in Colombia Vet tech in US
4
Answers
Armenia, Quindio, Colombia
Updated
Julio’s Answer
Starting a veterinary medicine career involves several key steps, especially when it comes to education and course selection. Here’s a guide to help you plan your path:
### High School Preparation
1. **Focus on Science Courses**: Take biology, chemistry, and physics. Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can be beneficial.
2. **Math Proficiency**: Enroll in algebra, geometry, and calculus if available.
3. **Extracurricular Activities**: Participate in animal-related activities like volunteering at animal shelters, farms, or veterinary clinics.
### Undergraduate Education
1. **Select a Relevant Major**: Common majors for pre-vet students include biology, animal science, or biochemistry. Ensure your coursework includes:
- **Biology**: General biology, zoology, microbiology, genetics.
- **Chemistry**: General chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry.
- **Physics**: General physics.
- **Math**: Statistics, calculus.
- **Humanities and Social Sciences**: Communication skills are crucial.
2. **Gain Experience**: Intern or volunteer with veterinarians or in animal-related fields to gain practical experience and build your resume.
### Veterinary School
1. **Prerequisite Courses**: Each veterinary school may have specific prerequisites, so check the requirements of schools you’re interested in. Generally, you’ll need:
- Advanced biology courses.
- Additional chemistry courses.
- Anatomy and physiology.
- Animal nutrition.
- Animal behavior.
2. **Standardized Tests**: Prepare for and take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), depending on the requirements of your chosen veterinary schools.
3. **Application**: Apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). Include your academic transcripts, GRE/MCAT scores, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
### During Veterinary School
1. **Core Curriculum**: In the first few years, you’ll cover foundational veterinary sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology.
2. **Clinical Training**: In later years, you’ll get hands-on training in various specialties, including surgery, internal medicine, and diagnostics.
3. **Electives and Specialization**: Choose electives based on your interests, such as small animal, large animal, exotic animals, or research.
### Post-Graduation
1. **Licensure**: After graduating from an accredited veterinary school, you must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
2. **Optional Residency and Certification**: If you wish to specialize further, consider a residency program in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, or dermatology. Certification in a specialty can enhance career prospects.
### Continuous Learning
Veterinary medicine is a field that requires lifelong learning. Stay updated with the latest research and developments through continuing education courses and professional conferences.
By following these steps and carefully planning your education and experience, you can successfully embark on a career in veterinary medicine.
### High School Preparation
1. **Focus on Science Courses**: Take biology, chemistry, and physics. Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses can be beneficial.
2. **Math Proficiency**: Enroll in algebra, geometry, and calculus if available.
3. **Extracurricular Activities**: Participate in animal-related activities like volunteering at animal shelters, farms, or veterinary clinics.
### Undergraduate Education
1. **Select a Relevant Major**: Common majors for pre-vet students include biology, animal science, or biochemistry. Ensure your coursework includes:
- **Biology**: General biology, zoology, microbiology, genetics.
- **Chemistry**: General chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry.
- **Physics**: General physics.
- **Math**: Statistics, calculus.
- **Humanities and Social Sciences**: Communication skills are crucial.
2. **Gain Experience**: Intern or volunteer with veterinarians or in animal-related fields to gain practical experience and build your resume.
### Veterinary School
1. **Prerequisite Courses**: Each veterinary school may have specific prerequisites, so check the requirements of schools you’re interested in. Generally, you’ll need:
- Advanced biology courses.
- Additional chemistry courses.
- Anatomy and physiology.
- Animal nutrition.
- Animal behavior.
2. **Standardized Tests**: Prepare for and take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), depending on the requirements of your chosen veterinary schools.
3. **Application**: Apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). Include your academic transcripts, GRE/MCAT scores, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
### During Veterinary School
1. **Core Curriculum**: In the first few years, you’ll cover foundational veterinary sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology.
2. **Clinical Training**: In later years, you’ll get hands-on training in various specialties, including surgery, internal medicine, and diagnostics.
3. **Electives and Specialization**: Choose electives based on your interests, such as small animal, large animal, exotic animals, or research.
### Post-Graduation
1. **Licensure**: After graduating from an accredited veterinary school, you must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
2. **Optional Residency and Certification**: If you wish to specialize further, consider a residency program in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, or dermatology. Certification in a specialty can enhance career prospects.
### Continuous Learning
Veterinary medicine is a field that requires lifelong learning. Stay updated with the latest research and developments through continuing education courses and professional conferences.
By following these steps and carefully planning your education and experience, you can successfully embark on a career in veterinary medicine.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Irelyn,
If you harbor a love for animals and desire to work with them, consider embarking on a career as a veterinarian. As a veterinarian, you'll be a highly skilled professional, diagnosing and treating a variety of health conditions in animals. Your patients could range from household pets to farm animals, and even extend to zoo creatures and wildlife. In this role, you'll be instrumental in preventive care, surgical procedures, and public health initiatives.
To become a veterinarian, you'll need to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from a recognized veterinary school. This demanding program will immerse you in subjects like animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology, and provide hands-on training in real-world clinical environments. Once you've earned your DVM degree, you'll need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to be legally authorized to practice.
The field of veterinary medicine is diverse, offering a range of career paths and specializations. You could focus on small or large animal practice, exotic animal medicine, wildlife conservation, research, or public health. As a veterinarian, you'll significantly contribute to the health and happiness of animals, while also advancing our collective understanding of animal biology and diseases.
If you're passionate about animal welfare and ready to commit to their care, a career as a veterinarian could be a rewarding and fulfilling path for you.
The following authoritative sources were referenced for this information:
1. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - A leading representative body for veterinarians in the U.S, providing essential information on education requirements, career opportunities, and resources for aspiring veterinarians.
2. Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) - An organization dedicated to promoting excellence in veterinary education, offering insights into the admissions process, curriculum guidelines, and information on various veterinary specialties.
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - A provider of data on the job outlook for veterinarians, including growth projections, median salaries, and key factors influencing the demand for veterinary services.
These sources were referenced to ensure the information provided about pursuing a career in veterinary medicine is accurate and reliable.
Blessings,
JC.
If you harbor a love for animals and desire to work with them, consider embarking on a career as a veterinarian. As a veterinarian, you'll be a highly skilled professional, diagnosing and treating a variety of health conditions in animals. Your patients could range from household pets to farm animals, and even extend to zoo creatures and wildlife. In this role, you'll be instrumental in preventive care, surgical procedures, and public health initiatives.
To become a veterinarian, you'll need to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from a recognized veterinary school. This demanding program will immerse you in subjects like animal anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology, and provide hands-on training in real-world clinical environments. Once you've earned your DVM degree, you'll need to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) to be legally authorized to practice.
The field of veterinary medicine is diverse, offering a range of career paths and specializations. You could focus on small or large animal practice, exotic animal medicine, wildlife conservation, research, or public health. As a veterinarian, you'll significantly contribute to the health and happiness of animals, while also advancing our collective understanding of animal biology and diseases.
If you're passionate about animal welfare and ready to commit to their care, a career as a veterinarian could be a rewarding and fulfilling path for you.
The following authoritative sources were referenced for this information:
1. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - A leading representative body for veterinarians in the U.S, providing essential information on education requirements, career opportunities, and resources for aspiring veterinarians.
2. Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) - An organization dedicated to promoting excellence in veterinary education, offering insights into the admissions process, curriculum guidelines, and information on various veterinary specialties.
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - A provider of data on the job outlook for veterinarians, including growth projections, median salaries, and key factors influencing the demand for veterinary services.
These sources were referenced to ensure the information provided about pursuing a career in veterinary medicine is accurate and reliable.
Blessings,
JC.
Juan Emilio Villacres Lara
Music Producer & Sound / Audio Engineer
5
Answers
Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
Updated
Juan Emilio’s Answer
If you're passionate about working with animals, there are several career paths you might consider, depending on your interests and how you want to interact with animals. Here are some options:
1)Veterinarian: As a vet, you would provide medical care to animals. This role requires extensive education, including a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, but it allows you to work closely with animals in a healthcare capacity.
2)Veterinary Technician or Assistant: These roles support veterinarians in their daily tasks and require less schooling (usually a two-year associate degree for technicians and less formal training or a certificate for assistants).
3)Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist: If you're interested in research and animal behavior in their natural habitats, this could be the path for you. These roles typically require a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, with advanced positions requiring a master's or doctoral degree.
4)Animal Trainer: This career involves training animals for a variety of purposes, including companionship, security, or therapeutic roles. Animal trainers often work with dogs and horses but can specialize in a wide range of animals.
5)Zookeeper: Working in zoos or wildlife sanctuaries, zookeepers care for the physical and psychological well-being of animals. A bachelor's degree in zoology, biology, or a related field is often required.
6)Conservation Officer: Also known as wildlife or game wardens, these professionals enforce laws aimed at the protection of wildlife and their habitats. This role often requires a degree in criminal justice, environmental science, or biology.
7)Animal Shelter Manager: If you're interested in rescue work and shelter management, this role involves overseeing the operation of animal shelters and ensuring the well-being of the animals housed there.
8)Pet Groomer or Pet Shop Owner: For those who prefer a more commercial approach to working with animals, these roles involve care and management of pets and can be started with less formal education but often require hands-on experience and training.
Each of these careers has different educational requirements and daily responsibilities, so you might want to consider what aspects of animal care most interest you and how much time you are willing to invest in education and training.
1)Veterinarian: As a vet, you would provide medical care to animals. This role requires extensive education, including a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, but it allows you to work closely with animals in a healthcare capacity.
2)Veterinary Technician or Assistant: These roles support veterinarians in their daily tasks and require less schooling (usually a two-year associate degree for technicians and less formal training or a certificate for assistants).
3)Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist: If you're interested in research and animal behavior in their natural habitats, this could be the path for you. These roles typically require a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field, with advanced positions requiring a master's or doctoral degree.
4)Animal Trainer: This career involves training animals for a variety of purposes, including companionship, security, or therapeutic roles. Animal trainers often work with dogs and horses but can specialize in a wide range of animals.
5)Zookeeper: Working in zoos or wildlife sanctuaries, zookeepers care for the physical and psychological well-being of animals. A bachelor's degree in zoology, biology, or a related field is often required.
6)Conservation Officer: Also known as wildlife or game wardens, these professionals enforce laws aimed at the protection of wildlife and their habitats. This role often requires a degree in criminal justice, environmental science, or biology.
7)Animal Shelter Manager: If you're interested in rescue work and shelter management, this role involves overseeing the operation of animal shelters and ensuring the well-being of the animals housed there.
8)Pet Groomer or Pet Shop Owner: For those who prefer a more commercial approach to working with animals, these roles involve care and management of pets and can be started with less formal education but often require hands-on experience and training.
Each of these careers has different educational requirements and daily responsibilities, so you might want to consider what aspects of animal care most interest you and how much time you are willing to invest in education and training.
Nirah Shomer, DVM PhD DACLAM
Senior leader in laboratory animal science, animal welfare, and regulatory compliance
61
Answers
Updated
Nirah’s Answer
There are so many jobs that involve animals that you will likely have to narrow things down a bit more to decide on a career path- and please remember that you might try MANY different career paths throughout your life. There are some jobs involving animals that require a huge amount of education and training (e.g. being a veterinarian), others that require physical strength and stamina (e.g. being a cowboy or farrier). Jobs involve working with animals in different settings (indoors, outdoors) and importantly involve working with people in different ways (dealing with pet owners can be very rewarding but also very challenging, for example). And of course, let's not forget jobs involve working with different TYPES of animals, from insects to fish to pet dogs and cats to food animals to wildlife....
All of these jobs come with different requirements and also different opportunities for earning money- so that is also something you need to consider.
One great resource is the US Bureau of Labor statistics website. It has detailed information on thousands of jobs, including educational requirements, salary information, descriptions of what the work involves, and the job outlook for the next ten years. Go to this site, enter "animals" in the search box, and then you can explore all of the different jobs that involve animals. (You can also type specific job names in the search box, for example groomer, jockey, veterinarian).
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
visit https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and put "animals" in the search box
All of these jobs come with different requirements and also different opportunities for earning money- so that is also something you need to consider.
One great resource is the US Bureau of Labor statistics website. It has detailed information on thousands of jobs, including educational requirements, salary information, descriptions of what the work involves, and the job outlook for the next ten years. Go to this site, enter "animals" in the search box, and then you can explore all of the different jobs that involve animals. (You can also type specific job names in the search box, for example groomer, jockey, veterinarian).
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Nirah recommends the following next steps:
Cassandra Carpenter
Veterinary assistant
19
Answers
Morton, Washington
Updated
Cassandra’s Answer
Hello there!
The world of animals is incredibly varied and it all comes down to your preferences - the type of animals you love, the level of interaction you desire, and the extent of education you're ready to undertake. Here are some exciting career paths for those who have a soft spot for animals:
1. Veterinarian
2. Animal Caretaker
3. Animal Trainer
4. Pet Groomer
5. Veterinary Technician
6. Veterinary Assistant
7. Marine Biologist
8. Wildlife Biologist
9. Zookeeper
10. Pet Sitter
11. Wildlife Rehabilitator
12. Animal Nutritionist
13. Dog Walker
14. Photographer
15. Breeder
16. Kennel Attendant
17. Park Ranger
18. Zoologist
19. Animal Rescue Worker
20. Conservation Officer
21. Farm Manager
22. Pet Business Owner
23. Pet Detective
24. Animal Behaviorist
Choose the one that resonates with your heart the most!
The world of animals is incredibly varied and it all comes down to your preferences - the type of animals you love, the level of interaction you desire, and the extent of education you're ready to undertake. Here are some exciting career paths for those who have a soft spot for animals:
1. Veterinarian
2. Animal Caretaker
3. Animal Trainer
4. Pet Groomer
5. Veterinary Technician
6. Veterinary Assistant
7. Marine Biologist
8. Wildlife Biologist
9. Zookeeper
10. Pet Sitter
11. Wildlife Rehabilitator
12. Animal Nutritionist
13. Dog Walker
14. Photographer
15. Breeder
16. Kennel Attendant
17. Park Ranger
18. Zoologist
19. Animal Rescue Worker
20. Conservation Officer
21. Farm Manager
22. Pet Business Owner
23. Pet Detective
24. Animal Behaviorist
Choose the one that resonates with your heart the most!
Julio Morales
DVM in Colombia Vet tech in US
4
Answers
Armenia, Quindio, Colombia
Updated
Julio’s Answer
Hello, you must start studying the entire biology part and choose your credits at school to start the veterinary medicine career.