Why should an individual seek to become a vet tech? This is the first question anyone interested in this field should ask.
Becoming a veterinary technician is a decision that will have life-long consequences as it is a career that requires a substantial amount of training.
However there are many reasons why becoming a veterinary technician can be an excellent life choice, both for individuals who are getting ready to enter the job market and those who have decided to transition to a more rewarding career.
The old image of a veterinary practice that is made up of a single vet and a few helpers has been increasingly displaced by veterinary clinics that provide full-spectrum care services for all types of animals, ranging from dogs and cats to exotic pets such as reptiles and birds. This has resulted in a growing demand for qualified and licensed veterinary care providers such as veterinary technicians. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that there are currently over 95,000 full-time veterinary technicians in the United States. This number is expected to increase by at least 19 percent by 2024, a rate of job creation that is far higher than the national average. When combined with attrition due to retirement and other factors, this means that newly licensed veterinary technicians can expect to enjoy a wide range of employment opportunities. This can be especially important for those individuals seeking to enter this career on a long-term basis, as its current growth potential indicates that it will continue to provide excellent employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Finally, the nature of a vet tech’s duties, mean that this is one career that is unlikely to ever see any serious challenge from office automation. Like a veterinarian, the vet tech does not need to fear being replaced by a computer. In fact, vet techs can expect to enjoy a career with abundant personal and professional advancement opportunities. In many cases, a senior vet tech will work closely with management and may also have a managerial role in supervising veterinary assistants and other veterinary technicians alike. For this reason, veterinary technicians do not have to worry about finding themselves stuck in a “dead-end” career, but can expect to earn more authority as they gain greater levels of security. The growth of veterinary specialties, ranging from the care of exotic pets to fields such as veterinary oncology have resulted in a growing demand for vet techs who have obtained specialist training and certification in these fields. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers a wide range of certification programs for such specialties, making this field an excellent choice for those individuals who wish to continue expanding their professional qualifications in the field of veterinary medicine. Due to the excellent pay, veterinary technicians receive this can be an excellent way to pay for the education needed to become a licensed veterinarian. In addition, the practical experience a veterinary technician has will be of tremendous benefit during his or her education. Finally, many veterinary schools require both personal and professional letters of recommendation on the behalf of any candidate. By working as a veterinary technician, a potential student can make the professional and personal connections that will make it easy to obtain any needed recommendations for their later veterinary career. In addition, the professional connections made while working as a vet tech can assist a newly licensed veterinarian in obtaining employment after his or her graduation. The nature of the vet tech’s career will see the development of close personal ties with his or her coworkers. Such ties can lead to a far more rewarding experience than working in a field where such personal ties are non-existent. In addition, because of the importance many people place on their companion animals, vet techs will often develop close personal ties with their clients. In many cases, this can result in the vet tech becoming a valued and respected member of the community. According to the BLS, the median pay for vet techs stands at over $31,000. In addition, many employers offer generous health and vacation plans to their employees. In addition, the highest 10 percent of vet techs earn an average of over $47,000, making this field one that is easily capable of supporting a single-income family. In a society where many pets are seen as valued and loved members of the family, excellent veterinary care is seen as a vital part of any community. For this reason, skilled vet techs and other veterinary professionals are seen as respected members of the community. This community respect is not simply personally rewarding, but can impact the type of salary a skilled veterinary technician can expect to receive from his or her employers. A vet tech is not just providing a service; he or she is helping members of the community through a very hard time in their life. Getting ready to go to the vet. Whether it is a normal checkup for a retired individual’s pet or providing emergency veterinary care to a child’s beloved dog, the veterinary technician can make real difference in his or her community. Many careers cannot say the same thing. For that reason, vet techs can return home after their day’s employment knowing that they have not simply provided a service for their clients and customers, but that they have helped make a real difference for many people’s lives. This type of personal satisfaction can often make the difference between a career that is just a job and a career that is a rewarding experience. Becoming a veterinary technician is an important decision for newly graduated adults and individuals seeking to change their career alike. However, there are many reasons why becoming a veterinary technician can be a rewarding choice for both pragmatic and personal reasons. For those individuals interested in providing care to America’s companion animals, this field is one that will provide a lifetime’s worth of personal and professional satisfaction. [qs_listing areaofinterest=”VETERINARY-ASSISTING-TECHNOLOGY”]
1. The Growth of the Veterinary Field
2. Long-Term Career Growth Potential
3. The Ability to Transition into Other Fields
4. Personal Ties with Coworkers and Clients
5. Salary and Benefits
6. Community Respect
7. Personal Satisfaction
