I usually say go for it but just be prepared to go to medical school for at
least 4-6 years. I wouldn't become a vet if the scientific is all you want
out of it. I think a good vet has to truly care about the animal which is
not science. I think the one question to ask yourself is if you would want
you to care for a sick or injured animal? If someone came to you and wanted
to have their cat declawed, would you talk them out of it or say "no
problem." I know I would not want a vet who was pro-dcelaw.

I myself prefer to be in the computer business because I enjoy it and when
you work for yourself like I do, you really meet some nice customers and at
the same time are allowed to pursue other goals. You also discover how much
that what you do makes a difference.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Drue" wrote in message
om...
Hi.

I'm 30 and am thinking seriously about starting a second career as a
veterinarian. For the past ten years, I have enjoyed a fairly
lucrative career as a software engineer, but now I am very serious
about changing my line of work as I don't want to be in the computer
business my entire life. I'm told that pursuing a second career
relatively late in life is an uphill battle, but I'm ready to go for
it anyway.

Why veterinary medicine? I have had a life long interest in scientific
learning as well as a love for and understanding of animals. Even as a
kid I loved animal care taking and exhibited a relatively good ability
to recognize and evaluate animal health conditions.

While software engineering may have paid better than vet med, I'd like
to pursue a career where I can exercise my scientific skills while
performing some measure of stewardship towards nature. And, needless
to say, I really crave the satisfaction that comes from making a sick
patient well.

So, what do you think? In general, is 30 generally too late in life
to begin studying to be a vet? I think I'll need to go back to school
and earn another bachelor's degree that will cover my pre-veterinary
work before I can even consider med school. I have a long way to go.
Is there enough time at my age?

Thanks so much for reading this and for your advice,
Drue