When I began my career I was single and childless. I now have been married for 11 years and have two small children. As my life has changed, I’ve carved out a career path uniquely my own. That is what I love about veterinary medicine – the options, the flexibility. And while the veterinary profession is more flexible today than ever before, it’s still a good idea to plan ahead and make some choices early on that will enable more flexibility throughout life’s stages.
Get those loans paid off as soon as possible! Most of us graduate with significant student loan debt. I know I did. So, I worked full-time and grabbed overtime whenever I could. My motto: Live frugal, eat cheap and strive for financial freedom! Once you have obtained that financial freedom you are free to choose what your career life will look like and are free to make your career fit your life and your desires.
My career began in full-time feline practice which I adored. I loved the people and their cats! But I set my sites higher, and certain financial limitations in the rural area where I practiced were hampering my dream to perform diagnostics that would elevate the quality of my practice. And while I loved clinical practice, I wanted to move to a big city and try something new. Again – a great thing about this career in veterinary medicine – I had the ability to make changes in my career path but still be an integral part of veterinary medicine. I went to work full time for the American Veterinary Medical Association as the lead of disaster/emergency programs. What a life! I got to travel, I helped get people and pets prepared for disasters, and I felt alive and fulfilled. The hours were long, the pay adequate but not spectacular, and the travel was intense. I wouldn’t have changed it for the world – what an adventure!
My life switched course again after 8 years of living the jet-set life. I had my first child. What a blessing he is. I realized that the career I love had to be altered again in order to start my next chapter – being a working Mom. I wanted to work, but I also wanted to be a full-time Mom. How did I do it? I lived within my means, moved closer to my family and found a great company (Banfield, The Pet Hospital) that allowed for a flexible schedule. I worked full time in recruiting but only had to work a 4 day work week. It was perfect for the whole family and since I worked from home I could alter my hours to attend what I needed for my son and still get a full-time job done.
Recently, my life changed again. I had my second child in 2009. With the birth of my second son, I was ready for something new. Banfield graciously accepted me back into clinical practice – this time as a part-time doctor working 3 days a week. Now I feel connected to my profession but wholly there for my children. I have worked for great companies in a profession that I love and I wouldn’t change a thing. However, I can’t stress enough that none of this would have been possible had I bought the house the bank told me I “could” afford or charged up a bunch of credit card debt or not paid off my student loans. Strive for financial freedom and you will find that this veterinary profession is one that is perfect for every life stage. And, not only perfect – but truly rewarding!
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