career change??

Re: career change??

Sandra Milburn — Tue, 06 May 2014 22:26:12 GMT

Hi Anon

I was in a very similar situation. After 10 yrs in practice, I opted out of clinical work (various reasons), at least for now. I took time out for myself and thought about different options such as re-training (as e.g. physio, going into the sports industry), pharmaceutical/ tech advisor line etc.

Very long story short - I am still looking for that all elusive job (and its not for being too picky). But - I am pretty cool about it most of the time. I have learnt a lot about a lot of stuff and am sure something will come along for me. I cannot offer any direct advice per se, but please feel free to pm me if you have any particular questions/ more details about your situation. It is a very individual thing and there is definitely no 'one fits all' solution.

Re: career change??

CatherineThomas — Tue, 06 May 2014 20:07:54 GMT

Just under a year ago I decided I was fed up with working long hours for no appreciation and my employers being unwilling to invest in anything related to exotics. I had always wanted to work with exotics and did as much as I could without the support of my employers but was getting frustrated with it all. So I handed my notice in, at the time I didn't know what I was going to do. I'd worked in three small animal practices over the 7 years since I graduated and none of them had encouraged my exotics work. There aren't any exotics practices near to my home and I couldn't relocate but I couldn't afford to set up on my own. I decided to do locum work for a while. As i was locuming I found that most of the practices really appreciated my willingness to see exotics and were amazed at simple things like being able to take blood samples. So I came up with the idea of providing a mobile exotics service. I made an agreement with two practices in my area that I will visit on a weekly basis and provide a clinic for exotic pets. I charge the practices per consultastion and per proceedure. They provide the consulting room and dispense the drugs, they charge the clients to cover my fees plus their own mark-up. I also bought some of my own equipment, the things that I had been previously been begging my employers for. I managed to get most of it second hand via ebay etc so didn't spend too much on it. I am also advertising to practices all over Suffolk that they can call me in to help out with their exotics cases, including the use of my equipment. I've only been doing this for a little more than a month but I think that business is gradually building and I'm hoping that it wont be too long before it becomes profitable. I'm also doing some locum work fitted in around the exotics work to help boost my income while business is slow. I'm soo much happier now that I'm actually working on something that I enjoy and working for myself.

So my story may not be particularly relevant to you. But i think it shows that there are alternatives which may not necessarily be the obvious ones.

Re: career change??

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 06 May 2014 19:50:55 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"] Start your own practice with or without a franchise?[/quote]

If that is one of the serious possibilities on your list, then that is the one to choose! On your own, of course – a franchise or anything like it is the worst of both worlds!

You'd still be doing small animal practice though. Is it practice as an employee you want a change from?

Are you married? Do you have children? Is your spouse all in favour of what you want to do?

Re: career change??

Francisco Gomez — Tue, 06 May 2014 14:38:33 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]

Start your own practice with or without a franchise?

[/quote]

I guess the first question to answer yourself is, what do you want to change? What part of all this mayhem doesn't feel right?

I've considered changing careers loads of times in the past. However I've been in a 'good mood' for the last few years, I don't want a change, not now.

My little 'tip' would be, if you're an employee and unsure of what to do with your life, becoming the slave of a corporate is not what you're after.