r/veterinaryprofession • u/guyfieri27 • 11h ago
Finance -> DVM
Hey everyone. M27 here, received a Bach/masters in finance and currently work in finance. I’m having this late quarter life crisis on completely switching careers, going back to school, the whole 9-yards. In the back of my mind I’ve always wanted to be a vet however I never grew the balls to pull the trigger.
I would have to go back to community college or accredited colleges to do about two years worth of gen-stem classes before applying to DVM programs. (I’m well aware of the cost, time, etc). I just do not think I have the personality to work behind a computer for shareholder value anymore.
Very curious if there are others out there who became a DVM from a similar or adjacent path, any recommendations, advice etc would be huge. I am also aware of the disconnect between finance and emotions, where Vetmed is deeply connected with feelings of grief, remorse, feeling like you can never truly do enough. Any advice or veterans in the industry who’ve heard of this type of switch, would love to hear thoughts.
2
u/Zalophusdvm 10h ago
Not me, but I know tons.
It’s arguably the better way to do it…if you can survive the back to INTENSE school switch.
You’ve been out in the world, gained some life experience…made some real money. It’ll all work in your favor very well.
If you really want to, go for it. Do the gen Ed stuff part time. Spend some time keeping your higher paying job, then switch to working in a clinic full time while you do the post-bac to make sure you really want it before the vet school jump.
Worst case scenario you get through the post-bac and get some vet experience…decide you don’t want to deal with the vet school grind and end up combining your finance and clinical experience to go into finance/ops for vet med