Have you ever heard the saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life?” Dog lovers, you’re in luck! There are many different career paths you can take if you think you want to channel your passion for pups into a career. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. You might not need a degree
If you think you want to go down the path of veterinary science or an animal health-related field, you will probably want to go to college and get a degree in a related field. These could be careers like Veterinarian, Veterinary Technician, or biologist.
However, most careers working with animals will rely more on experience than on knowledge and expertise. While a related degree can be helpful, the most valuable thing you can bring to the table is relevant experience.
Some ways to get a good experience with animals would be to work or volunteer at an animal shelter, groomer, or Veterinary office.
2. Explore different paths
There are many different ways for you to get your foot in the door and start doing what you love. Whether you want to help pets and pet families, end factory farming, or be a wildlife rehabilitator, there is an avenue for you.
An important thing to do is find out what you want to do is explore your interests before you go to or go back to college. While certain jobs require a degree, many don’t. And while you can have a full career where you get to spend time doing something you are passionate about, there is not always a lot of money to go with it.
Knowing what you want to do before you you decide to get a degree in a related field could save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary tuition fees.
3. It’s not all pets and cuddles
If you want to work with dogs, be prepared to get your hands dirty. It is important to be realistic about what the day-to-day of a career might look like.
For example, working in animal welfare can be extremely rewarding. However, it can also be exhausting. This industry can be full of frustration leaving you feeling burned out and overwhelmed. If you think this is the career path for you, make sure to remember to ask for help when you need it and set firm boundaries between your work life and home life.
4. You can make money helping animals
While there are many paths to go down that can have a very low rate of pay, there are plenty of options that come with great compensation and benefits. If you’re just breaking into the field, it is very common for many jobs to pay minimum wage or even be volunteer-based. However, as you climb the career ladder, your compensation will increase and you could be living large and doing what you love.
Whether you want to turn your passion into a career or if you are just looking for a few opportunities to volunteer your time, there is a need for people who are passionate about helping animals and who are willing to dedicate themselves to protecting our furry friends.
