File :-(, x, )
Marine Biology vs. Vet School Dr. Namefag
So /an/, I'm in quite a predicament.
The ocean has been my love for my entire life. Sharks, mainly, I was always the weird little girl who loved big predators as a kid, especially exotic cats: cheetahs are my favorite. The problem is, unless you land a good, rare position, in Marine Biology you'll make no money.
As a veterinarian, though, I could make money, and still be doing something I'd enjoy. The problem is, I love the ocean so much... I feel like if I became a vet, I'd be betraying my heart, and thus be miserable.
But I need help, /an/, I'm at a crossroad in my life and need to make my decision NOW.
Should Dr. Namefag go for veterinary school or marine biology?
>> Anonymous
Marine biology. Money means nothing if you aren't doing something you love. never base your life around money, because in the end it will just make you unhappy.
>> Anonymous
Go with what you truly want to do. Also, going to vet school is like going to become a doctor. If it's not what you really want, you won't do as well, and you won't be as happy etc etc. Besides, marine biology is fascinating. Sticking things up dog's butts isn't as much.
>> Anonymous
If it influences your decision at all, being rewarded (ie: getting paid) for doing something you enjoy makes you enjoy it less. That's why I decided against making a career out of art.
>> Anonymous
>>180535
Disagreeing. Being paid to work at an animal shelter did not make me like it any less, it just gave me more incentive to get up and do it on days when I didn't feel like it.
>> Anonymous
>>180537
I'm only saying what psychological studies have shown, that's all. If you're an exception then I'm very happy for you.
>> Anonymous
I'm just scared that I won't be able to make enough to survive... There's so much I want in life =/ I feel greedy sometimes.
>> Anonymous
Do both. Become a vet and specialize in marine biology. You could work with sea world or something...even though we all know real biologists don't really want to work there, but who knows. Theres plenty of local type aquariums and such.
>> Anonymous
>>180535
yes, taking psyc 1101 makes you an eggspert, my dad loves flying, hes a pilot, he gets paid, the thing people hate is the obligation, the example for art (which all professors must use i guess) is that before you can take your time and do it whenever for whatever, but as a job, you are told to work this many hours producing this many pieces, it is no longer a hobby, liking sharks has nothing to do with a hobby, it is an interest, you think Van Gouge hated getting money for painting? artist now just hate their lives because they have no talent and no one cares to buy modern stuff anyway
>> Dr. Namefag
>>180554
That's how I feel about my baking. I enjoy it, but I do it on my own time. I could never own a bakery producing X amount of items and selling X amount every day. That takes all the joy out of it.
>> Anonymous
Animal Science soon-to-be-grad checking in. Do what truly makes you happy, if that's marine bio then go for it. Vets make better-than-average money, but nothing compared to human medicine specialists. It takes years to break even after vet school, and I've talked to many former vets who've changed careers because as it turns out, being a veterinarian isn't the key to happiness, even if you're an animal lover.
>> Anonymous
>>180518
Become an aquatic vet????????????
>> Anonymous
Fucking Marine Biology. It's a required course for us Environmental Science students, but its troublesome getting into the damn course cause of the army of "YAY SEA ANIMALS" kids from every imaginable other faculty. Everybody and their mum likes sea animals, so you'd better be damn dedicated, cause you'll have competition.
>> Anonymous
As a biology graduate student that looked into vet school, let me tell you: every vet I talked to told me not to do it. It's tedious, heartbreaking, you don't make that much money, and vet schools are even harder to get into than med school sometimes because there are fewer actual accredited programs. If you're only thinking of doing vet school so that you can make money, you can forget it now, because being a vet will not make you rich. If you're any good at marine biology, just get a Master's or Ph.D. in it and stick with it. You can get a job at an aquarium or about a zillion other places that you will LOVE. Being a vet, you'll only get a moderate salary, and you'll have to constantly be putting animals to sleep just because their owners can't afford surgery or medicine to save them. If you don't believe me, look into shadowing a vet in your town for a day. I did that with four or five different vets, and they all told me to do something else. I listened.
>> Anonymous
I'm finishing up becoming an Aquatic vet now (final months of clinical year), and I will be totally honest with you.
DO NEITHER. Those are without question the two most competitive fields in the country in terms of years of grunt work and no money made. It takes unwavering commitment, and since you can't decide, it means you don't have the neccessary commitment to succeed in either.
Find something else. I'm not trying to sound mean, but nothing sucks more than 8 years and $320,000 on something you're not truly dedicated to.
>> tigerfeather !CrwtTbFNxQ
>>180645
>>180666
Listen to these people, they speak the truth.
>> Anonymous
Yes, because asking an honest question means you have commitment and follow through issues.
>> Anonymous
>>180535
wow thats stupid
doing something u like
or doing something u like and get money
gee
>> Dr. Namefag
Thanks, everybody.
>> Anonymous
become a japanese fisherman instead
>> Anonymous
>>180890
so what did you decide???
>> Dr. Namefag
>>180899
No idea... Neither are looking too good :( I didn't know being a vet could be so miserable.
>> Anonymous
Become a biologist.

We need more people to teach others how we're fucking up the environment with all those toxins we pour in the oceans, etc, than we need people to stitch up housepets.

In the end, do what makes you happy. My parents always got on my ass about doing something that was high in the dollars/effort ratio. They made me take courses in college I hated so much I dropped out and to this day, I still haven't amounted to anything.

My dad's rich and miserable, so he spends all his money on things to make him happy. What's the point, if you can just get a job doing something you really love?
>> Anonymous
marine bio is the way to go. trust me.
>> Anonymous
NEITHER. Both suck balls, the program has nothing to do with what an actual marine biologist/vet does in the field, etc etc.

Liking animals, or for that matter, liking sharks has nothing to do with being good at the subject of vetenary science or marine biology, or even being good at the job.
>> Anonymous
>>180518
Go to bed, Autumn.
>> Anonymous
Look, don't sweat it. Even those of us who *have* "decided" what to do with our lives don't end up doing it. Most of us don't really know what we want to do coming in to University. Take some general studies and talk to some councillors.
>> Anonymous
Yeah both of those choices could potentially be very interesting and rewarding. At this point in your decision, you would probably enjoy both programs. The question is whether or not you'd be willing to pursue either of those two fields professionally with minimal pay. And by minimal I don't mean so little that you wouldn't be able to feed yourself, I just mean a very modest salary - the kind that gets you a $20k car and a townhouse.

On the other hand, there are other possibilities that are much higher paying which could fund your hobbies. Those other possibilities could possibly get you a six figure starting salary, with which you could pursue whatever interests you have in animals or marine life. Of course those hobbies will be very different from actually formally studying those fields.

So really, anon can't really help you with your decision, but anon will tell you that it doesn't hurt to think 5, 10, 15 years down the road.
>> Bitter Anon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
>>181560
a 20kusd car is modest..?
>> tigerfeather !CrwtTbFNxQ
>>181563
I suppose that depends on where you live, too. Here in central California, where rent on our one bedroom 650 foot apartment costs us well over $7000 a year, paying $4000 a year on a new car doesn't sound too terrible. His "modest" means "middle class" here.
>> Anonymous
if youre going to be a vet, make sure you can handle the fact that youre going cut up animals and sometimes cant treat them so you gotta break news to owners and shit all the time...
>> Anonymous
>>181215

Realistically if someone is "at a crossroads" in their life deciding between vet school and marine biology, both graduate programs, they're probably almost done with an undergrad degree and a few years past the "take some general courses and see what you like" stage.
>> Anonymous
>>180518I feel like if I became a vet, I'd be betraying my heart, and thus be miserable.

Sounds like you should go with marine bio if you feel that strongly. Sure, you won't be rich, but you'll be ok. Besides you can always spend conservativly and save up money to buy things you want. Or (god forbid!) stop assuming that money to buy shit = happiness.
>> Anonymous
bump
>> Anonymous
>>180518
marine biology motherfucker!
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>180518
It's obvious.
If you love Marine Biology, that's what you have to do.
My grandpa started a vetrinary clinic because that was his dream ever since he saw a road killed dog.
So if your passion is marine life go for the Marine Biology school.
It sounds like you're highschool age. What you don't realize is that a degree can open up opportunities for all sorts of jobs.
You could work at an aquarium, or for Navy, or even on a film crew. You learn a lot more in college then your selected field.
I got a film degree and am currently working in TV, which may lead to bigger jobs (That's the way it works)
Bottom line. Go with your passion, excel as much as you can, and you'll never regret it.
Money is fleeting do what you LOVE!
>> Anonymous
>>182002
I worded that funny...

My grandpa was devasted upon finding a road killed dog at a young age, and it made a lasting impression upon him.
He went to med school and set a record as head of his class which stands to this day.
He went on to open up three vetrinary clinics around the metro area.
He excelled at what he did because he dedicated himself, and strived to excel...
Because it was what he loved to do.
You need to stop asking "WHY" you should do what you love and start asking "HOW" can I do what I love.
Go to school for marine biology, work hard and never look back!
>> Anonymous
>>182004
epic