Unsure about My Career and Looking for Input

LBjaja1 on 02/05/2022 - 16:05

Hi all,

After some unbiased input/opinions from people who I don't know about my career.

A bit about myself - I am 23 and graduated from uni last year doing a double degree of civil engineering and commerce. I've had about 2 years of experience in the field and earning a decent amount of money for where I am in my career as an engineer. I was definitely guided into this profession by my family/environment. I am at a point where I saved enough of a deposit to get pre-approval for a home loan and ready to purchase my first home.

Now, over the past year, since I graduated, I've been thinking that the construction industry (or potentially, engineering in general) is not what I am really passionate about. In fact, after 6 years of university, I've realised that I have always been passionate about animals and I do not know why it took me this long to realise that I would love to study veterinary science and work in animal welfare.

I am seriously considering going back to study again for another 6 years but there are some major (in my perspective) problems:

  • I would need to stay at home with the parents (who have no issues with that) until I am 29 so I can continue to save as much money as possible. Noting that this is common in my culture and generally, parents wouldn't want me moving out until I am married. I have no major issues with this except for the fact that under their roof, I can't keep pets at home)
  • I don't think it would be feasible to purchase a home anymore (which I intended to rent out)
  • The course I was looking at would be full time from at least year 3 so I would be relying on savings for at least 4 years
  • I worked and studied full time simultaneously for the last 2 years of my degree - I am not sure I can put myself through that mental and emotional stress again, let alone the physical exhaustion
  • I've never worked in a clinical environment before so I'm concerned I won't even enjoy it (but I'm intending to volunteer on the weekends in shelters to solidify my belief that I am indeed passionate about animals and not just tired of construction)
  • Concerned about job uncertainty/remuneration as a vet

I am seriously kicking myself for not thinking about this earlier. I honestly didn't put heaps of effort into my engineering degree (stupid I know) and skipped heaps of lectures/tutorials because I wasn't that interested. I still managed to scrape just below a distinction, but I know I can do heaps better. I feel that this is relevant as I am not even sure I would get accepted into the degree I want to do.

Anyhow, my life isn't falling apart - just curious to see what others would do and if there are any insights from people in either industry. Would you quit your job (or go part time, if possible, for two years) so you can study for another 6 years and graduate when you are 30 , or just continue working as an engineer and leave animals as a 'hobby'? Any other things I might still need to think about?

Education & Work

Comments

  • Xistn on 02/05/2022 - 16:15
    +2

    So young..

    • CyberMurning on 02/05/2022 - 16:39

      too young..

      • altomic on 03/05/2022 - 08:17

        John Paul Young

    • Ryanek on 03/05/2022 - 09:44

      Damn we're old

  • mini2 on 02/05/2022 - 16:18
    +1

    It sux to be in a role that's not your passion and eventually you'll be golden handcuffed after you're chartered and get bulk coins. Before you know it, you're 40, with kids, mortgages and pretty difficult to extract yourself outta this pickle.

    I don't think it would be feasible to purchase a home anymore (which I intended to rent out)

    Buy something that's likely to be cashflow even while you've still got your engineering job, rent it out and head back to study.

    • Bjaja1 on 02/05/2022 - 16:47

      I love the thought of a family and mortgages, and hopefully some investments on the side. I do struggle with the idea of waking up at 5am, 5/6 days a week, to do a 10-hour work day, doing something that I don't enjoy for big companies that I don't care about in order to pay for the family and mortgages.

  • bobbified on 02/05/2022 - 16:19
    +3

    If you've got a pretty sizeable deposit, you could potentially buy an investment property that's positively geared and use the difference between the mortgage and the rental income as your source of income while studying. That alone could be enough income if you're staying at home. If required, you could also take up a part time job to supplement the rental income.

    The aim would be to help insulate yourself a little from being priced out of the property market when you're ready to buy a more expensive place to live in later. (Of course, there's never a guarantee that the prices will continue to rise!)

    You will have to work your numbers yourself to see if the above is feasible. There seems to be a general expectation that interest rates will rise soon too, so you'll need to factor that into your planning.

    • Bjaja1 on 02/05/2022 - 16:49

      I definitely won't have enough for a positively geared investment property in Sydney.

      Might be one for another forum post but would be interesting to see where/how I can go about looking for a positively geared property elsewhere.

  • klendestined on 02/05/2022 - 16:26
    +3

    Engineers that are passionate about engineering are few and far between in my opinion OP. I developed passion enough for it over time and now enjoy what I do. Worth looking up the Hays salary review for a comparison of earning potential between Vet Science and Civil Engineering. As Vet science and animal welfare tends to attract passionate people who do it for the love it would likely be renumerated significantly differently to what you are getting used to. I worked minimum wage before going back to finish engineering and wouldn't want to go back to it even for something I was passionate about.

    Option could be to volunteer at a shelter as a hobby?

    • Bjaja1 on 02/05/2022 - 16:50

      Thanks for the insight. Are you in construction or another field? How does your work and working hour differ from when you graduated uni?

      Definitely an option as a hobby.

      • klendestined on 09/05/2022 - 13:40

        I'm in mining. Work about 45-50 hours per week on average. Used to be more (48-50hrs). I've never worked had to work as many hours as I did at uni (7 days a week 10+ hours a day). Probably overdid the study though to be fair.

  • holdenmg on 02/05/2022 - 16:32
    +2

    Hi,
    Have a read of https://www.vetvoice.com.au/ec/veterinary-careers from the AVA or straight from the horses mouth…

    • Bjaja1 on 02/05/2022 - 16:52
      +1

      Thanks for that - I think I would get a lot of value out of shadowing a veterinarian for a weekend or two in my local area. I might need to look into getting that hands on experience. Reading about the coursework makes me concerned about if my grades would get me across the line. If I was reliant on my ATAR I'd be cheering but relying on my uni grades is another question.

  • AustriaBargain on 02/05/2022 - 16:36

    If you could work engineering four days a week, and spend the other 1-3 days working with animals, would you?

    • Bjaja1 on 02/05/2022 - 16:57

      That would be a good compromise I believe. I don't know where I can find a 4-day engineering week (working with council, maybe?) and I'm not sure what significant sort of work I could do without any qualifications.

      To clarify, I like the idea of being a vet as I could have significant impact on an animals life. I don't think I would enjoy a cleaning job at an animal clinic (for example) as I would really prefer to be working with the animals and doing something that challenges me and required me to focus. In saying that, I am willing to put the hard yards in to get where I want to go.

      Did you have something in mind when asking the question, AustriaBargain?

      • AustriaBargain on 02/05/2022 - 17:04
        +1

        No, nothing in mind, I just know that a four day work week is not a foreign concept today like it was 22 years ago.

        • Bjaja1 on 02/05/2022 - 17:12

          Yeah, I might need to look into that. Thanks for the suggestion.

      • Hardlyworkin on 02/05/2022 - 19:12

        Do you know any vets? Not sure the reality of the job will match your expectations.

        Are you looking to work with pets or in a different field?

        How about being a wildlife carer on the side?

        When are you going to take some time to live a little?

        • Bjaja1 on 03/05/2022 - 11:06

          Yeah that is a good point and hoping to get some time to actually speak to a couple vets and see what I should be expecting. Was honestly hoping for some responses from vets but there must not be many on OzBargain.

          I think pets/domestic animals are my comfort zone. Unsure about a wildlife carer at this point in time.

          I hope to live in little increments daily.

  • Drakesy on 02/05/2022 - 17:16
    +1

    Coming from a civil engineer the grass is not always greener on the other side.

    Civil engineering is a great way to be mentally stimulated while calling on your problem solving ability.
    Now, animal welfare and veterinary science are great jobs if you're into animals, however you have to weigh up the pro's and cons.

    Animal welfare generally won't pay a great wage and future prospects would be limited
    Veterinary science is a long degree, but you can end up at the end of it with a good wage, would be emotionally taxing dealing with people all day though who are emotional over their dog/cat/bird etc. As noted in previous posts, vets have a high depression rate.

    Engineering as hard as it is, does come with its perks which i find rewarding when i get home. It's not the same old story day in day out oh and the comfort of not worrying about the next pay check is a big plus..

    If i were you i'd assess if it's the engineering area you're in thats the issue or the actual workplace. My first couple of grad jobs made me reconsider my life choices. It wasn't until my 5th year when my mates had maxed out their wage and were starting to plateau while engineers were being promoted left right and centre that i realised it's a long term investment.

    As previously noted, once you get senior enough in your career your wage will provide you with flexibility to cut back on hours. I.e i've received a 40% bump in pay the last year, thus you can take 2 days off and get paid the same as your previous role. NGL a 4 day weekend would be tempting.

  • SF3 on 02/05/2022 - 18:05

    TLTR

    I am at a point where I saved enough of a deposit to get pre-approval for a home loan and ready to purchase my first home.

  • Pcosmic on 02/05/2022 - 18:12
    +1

    Don't follow your passion yet! What you like now may not be what you like 10 years from now.

    If your job pays well, keep working until you reach a networth that is sizeable enough for financial independence.

    After that you can do whatever you want.

  • Presence on 02/05/2022 - 18:15
    +1

    Don't become a vet. They are way underpaid, they hate their jobs, constant difficult customers (the people) and have high suicide rates!! Every single one of them started off like you, just loving animals, but it's a terrible field to work in. The industry is struggling because so many vets have quit!

    • Bjaja1 on 03/05/2022 - 11:07

      Thanks for your input. Will keep in mind.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 02/05/2022 - 18:21

    I’m guessing your background isn’t Anglo thinking it’s not weird living with your parents until you’re almost 30

    • Jugganautx on 02/05/2022 - 18:29
      +1

      Is Anglo a PC way of saying White?

      • pangwen on 03/05/2022 - 07:22
        +1

        I think it’s more specific - from my understanding there are some European cultures (Greek comes to mind) where staying at home longer is a cultural norm too. “Anglo” would in this context be more of a differentiator than skin colour.

        Source: https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2018/46/more-dutch-and-europea…

        Compare Croatia and Greece with over 70% of 25-29 year olds staying at home with parents against 20% in the UK.

      • tallkid123 on 03/05/2022 - 09:03

        I just say white people on reddit all the time and get downvoted to oblivion.

        Not that I give a shit what PC means. Considering its meant for minorities like myself to feel better.

    • Jason Genova on 03/05/2022 - 08:46
      +2

      definitely asian background

      • Bjaja1 on 03/05/2022 - 11:08

        I am of asian descent.

        I don't see it as weird. We generally take over the costs of living for them so they can enjoy themselves a bit more (generalising, but that's what we do in our family).

  • shaybisc on 02/05/2022 - 18:27

    Out of the frying pan into the fire.

  • plmko on 02/05/2022 - 18:28
    +5

    There's a distinct difference between loving animals and working on animals.

    • Bjaja1 on 03/05/2022 - 11:10

      That has been one of my main concerns with leaving a perfectly good career to pursue my passion.

      • JustLooking4ADeal on 03/05/2022 - 14:29

        The job would entail you bringing families bad news when their beloved pet is not going to make it or even putting the animal down. Some people can't do it (I know I couldn't do this).
        Have a think about not just the pros of loving animals but what a vet actually does.

  • Muzeeb on 02/05/2022 - 18:30
    -1

    Sounds like you're due for a career change.

    Get some flying lessons and become a long haul pilot for QANTAS.

  • BHR on 02/05/2022 - 18:31
    +3

    Do what makes you happiest, the time is going to pass anyway.

    But if you take a particular path, don’t look back and think what if.. comparison is the thief of joy.

  • mskeggs on 02/05/2022 - 21:56
    +3

    If you don't try vet science now, you will always regret it, and it will gnaw at you.
    If you tried it now, didn't like it after a year or two when you know a lot more about what was involved, and went back to engineering, would it be a big deal?
    Slightly annoying that you could have been 2 years progressed in engineering, but surely pleased you did something interesting and believed in yourself. That is the worst case.

    The best case is you find a new career that interests you greatly, are one of a tiny number of vets with engineering capabilities (who knows, maybe it will turn out to be super useful!) and have a rewarding career after succeeding at two demanding jobs.

    I don't actually think you have any choice to make except for the minor details. Good luck!

  • TheBilly on 02/05/2022 - 22:14
    +1

    Before you commit. Go and travel and have some experiences around animals. Even better try and find an industry related job. If they want qualified people tell them you’ll do labouring or basic assistant type work.

    I kind of did what you are experiencing right now… a degree I didn’t much enjoy originally. But the new career that I uprooted my entire life to reset and start from scratch on I had exposure to from a young age. So when I made the decision I knew it was the correct thing for me.

    Apart from the fact that you think you love animals there is nothing else indicating that you should be a vet. I LOVE camping and hiking, doesn’t mean I want to be a Hiking Tour guide. I’ve never done that job before. In actual fact I’d probably be really bad at it because I don’t have the right personality. You may be a very bad vet. Get exposed to it in some way so you can be sure where you stand on it.

  • saltypete on 03/05/2022 - 08:00

    Give your Engineering some time. And, as others have said do volunteering with the animals.
    There are heaps of animal related things you can do - rescue, wildlife reintroduction, research assist, even dissections. Do some of that while you grow into your current career and mine it's opportunity to grow wealth.
    After a few years you will know if moving is what you really want, and importantly what part of animal care your passion is.

    As a left field option - start learning about engineering that relates to animal welfare, protection and conservation. You may be able to use your existing skills in an animal related field.

    eg
    piggery stall design
    exclusion fencing
    handicapped ownership of house pets
    Keeping urban cats inside..

    All the best.

  • foxinsox8 on 03/05/2022 - 08:15
    +4

    To me the decision is easy. Get enrolled in the Veterinary course and pursue it for a year. You will then have a good idea whether the vet idea really is for you. If it is, everything else… money, home, future remuneration etc will fall into place.

    If it turns out after a year that vet science isn't what you want… then at your age and stage in your engineering career you will have lost very little and can go back to working there.

    *****There is no substitute for going to work in a job you love******

    Personal relationships, future family happiness, financial prosperity and your personal health: everything becomes a breeze if you are excited to get to work each day.

    I spent my twenties in and out of Uni (Arts/Law… Economics etc) and various jobs before realising that journalism was my metier. Went back to university in my late 20s. Didn't get into it as a career until I was thirty… but having found my perfect fit my career took off like a rocket. Spent ten years as a radio and TV foreign correspondent travelling Asia and the Middle East (my dream job) and won every award in Australian journalism. I loved every minute of my long career. The sacrifice to return to study journalism in my late 20s was worth it a hundred times over and the best decision I ever made. You will be working for a long time: make it something you love.

  • spaiydz on 03/05/2022 - 08:55
    +1

    Volunteer at an animal shelter to see if it interests you further. You can ask more questions to people who work in the field.

    This one is popular in Melbourne: https://rspcavic.org/volunteer/

  • Quantumcat on 03/05/2022 - 12:56

    Will you definitely be happy in an operating theatre, seeing blood and bone, being responsible for whether an animal lives or dies, having to tell the owner their beloved pet died, and maybe being responsible for some of those deaths (misdiagnosing, something going wrong on the operating table etc), seeing a pet suffer or not get the right treatment because the owners can't afford it? I couldn't do it but I am a bit sensitive to pain and suffering, maybe you are tougher.

    I feel like in some ways a regular doctor would be a little easier, as people generally will always get the best treatment available and there's no worry of having to compromise due to cost

  • fishing on 03/05/2022 - 20:58

    Left field idea

    Time to change things up

    Heads west to Pilbara or Kimberly

    Score a job with a local council that comes With Housing utilities and car paid for as part of your package. Live a little.

    You won’t be sorry and you will have done something constructive while earning decent coin

  • chickentaste on 03/05/2022 - 21:26

    Mate, do a bit of volunteering or free time work with animals first. As this guy above said, go live in the middle of nowhere for a while. Maybe overseas. Change up your environment and see how you feel then.

    I worked with a guy overseas who was a police officer on sabbatical. He was having the same wobble and took advantage of a scheme in the police service in his country to take a few years away to make sure if leaving was really what he wanted to do. He travelled, worked in a few bars, got his d*ck wet, and after a few years decided he'd made the choice all along and went back to it.

    I work with uni vet students. It's a really, really REALLY hard course. Lots of students get cut or quit. It's on a par withe medicine. Know what you're getting yourself in for because if you had trouble applying yourself to an engineering course this is going to really test you and you have to love it.

    The stress doesn't end when you graduate either. The suicide rate for vets is high. Higher than any other health profession I think. If you're not comfortable with the stress it won't be for you.

  • pao2x on 04/05/2022 - 11:07

    VET medicine has the highest levels of stress and depression in any health field. Low pay as well. If I were you I would earn money in your profession, by the time you woulds have graduated in vet med you could buy your own hobby farm instead of under a hell hole of HECS debt and a shitty starting salary. You can volunteer in animal welfare orgs in the mean time

  • Alva10 on 04/05/2022 - 15:19

    What I am reading is that, you're interested in the new industry, but not passionate enough to sacrifice to pursue it. Maybe it's a mindset thing, but I think you're too comfortable in your comfort zone, earning a good income, stability in employment, and part of you didn't want to throw all those away.

    You are young, single, and have a family home to fall back on, which out you in a very advantage position. If you're passionate about something, make some sacrifice and go for it.

    I am currently 35, working Full time with a family to care for, got mortgage to pay, and am second year into my Bachelor, as just like you, I've discovered my passion and decided to face the situation and go for it.

    Not saying it will be easy, as you will have to sacrifice a lot of your own time, but definitely doable.

  • Brodo Faggins on 08/05/2022 - 19:20
    +1

    You're 23 and super young as fk.
    Take the gamble and go high risk - nothing worse than living life filled with regrets and "what ifs".
    Don't be 40 or 60 and still thinking about "what if I took the chance at vet science or animal welfare".
    Even if you take the path and do everything you said would happen, and stuff up everything, you would still be young as fk at 29.
    You can "start over" then, and ask OzB in 9 years (but by then you won't be "starting over", you'll be starting from experience).
    No such thing as "too late to start again".
    KFC started when he was 65.

    Also another thing to consider is maybe not a uni route straight away - instead maybe test the waters and work reception at an adoption shop, or admin in a vet clinic, etc and see if you gain more passion from that environment. Hope this was inspiring enough for you, goodluck mate!

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