1. Career of Choice Vet Tech

2. What is a Vet Tech?  Veterinary technologists and technicians are responsible for the careful and humane handling of animals. Veterinary technologists and technicians perform medical tests under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian to assist in diagnosing the injuries and illnesses of animals.

3. Reasons I picked this career!  I have always loved animals  I’m not afraid of blood and guts  When I was little I hated seeing animals in pain  I love helping people  I have always loved animals  I’m not afraid of blood and guts  When I was little I hated seeing animals in pain  I love helping people

4. My Pets

5. Interview with a Vet Tech  She wanted to be a vet since she was in 1 st grade  Loves animals more than people  Vet Tech was way cheaper schooling  Vet Techs actually get to do a lot more of the fun stuff  There were a lot of job offers, she actually had one before she graduated from her program  She enjoys her job because there is something new every day  Her favorite part of her job is surgery, blood and guts, and anesthesiology  She wanted to be a vet since she was in 1 st grade  Loves animals more than people  Vet Tech was way cheaper schooling  Vet Techs actually get to do a lot more of the fun stuff  There were a lot of job offers, she actually had one before she graduated from her program  She enjoys her job because there is something new every day  Her favorite part of her job is surgery, blood and guts, and anesthesiology

6. What does it take to be a Vet Tech?  Very personable  Can’t be afraid to get dirty  Strong stomach  Love for animals  Hard worker  Self motivated  Very personable  Can’t be afraid to get dirty  Strong stomach  Love for animals  Hard worker  Self motivated

7. Why is this a match for me?  I love working with people and animals  I don’t mind to get dirty  I can handle some pretty awful smells  I’m not scared of feces, urine, or blood  I am very self motivated especially when it comes to finding out what is wrong with animals  I love working with people and animals  I don’t mind to get dirty  I can handle some pretty awful smells  I’m not scared of feces, urine, or blood  I am very self motivated especially when it comes to finding out what is wrong with animals

8. Video of me at work!  https://youtu.be/ORmUtuAZ_XY https://youtu.be/ORmUtuAZ_XY  https://youtu.be/ORmUtuAZ_XY https://youtu.be/ORmUtuAZ_XY

9. Requirements  Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology  Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (varies by state, but required by Illinois)  Lots of hours of In-Clinic work (varies by program, but 30 hours by SICCM Program)  You could also be a Vet Technologist, who deal more with labs and bloodwork than with the actual animals  Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology  Pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (varies by state, but required by Illinois)  Lots of hours of In-Clinic work (varies by program, but 30 hours by SICCM Program)  You could also be a Vet Technologist, who deal more with labs and bloodwork than with the actual animals

10. A day in the life of a Vet Tech  First you would get to work around 7 in the morning to walk the dogs that are in the kennel, then clean the kennels and feed all the animals that are being boarded.  Clean the lobby and get things situated for the Vet.  If there are surgeries set for the day, then you would have to get the animals medicated and ready for the Vet to operate.  Then throughout the day you will answer the phone, schedule appointments, assist the Vet in surgery, read lab reports, take care of small appointments like nail trims and vaccines.  You will get 30-45 minutes for lunch, but most of the time you will stay at the clinic and eat in case you have walk in appointments.  You work anywhere from 7:00 in the morning to 5:00-6:00 at night depending on how much work there is and how many animals are being boarded.  You have to clean kennels on the weekends and walk dogs twice a day.  First you would get to work around 7 in the morning to walk the dogs that are in the kennel, then clean the kennels and feed all the animals that are being boarded.  Clean the lobby and get things situated for the Vet.  If there are surgeries set for the day, then you would have to get the animals medicated and ready for the Vet to operate.  Then throughout the day you will answer the phone, schedule appointments, assist the Vet in surgery, read lab reports, take care of small appointments like nail trims and vaccines.  You will get 30-45 minutes for lunch, but most of the time you will stay at the clinic and eat in case you have walk in appointments.  You work anywhere from 7:00 in the morning to 5:00-6:00 at night depending on how much work there is and how many animals are being boarded.  You have to clean kennels on the weekends and walk dogs twice a day.

11. Salary  Salaries for Vet Techs vary depending on location.  If you work for a large ranch you will make more money than someone who works for a local Vet Clinic like Town and Country.  Salaries for Vet Techs vary depending on location.  If you work for a large ranch you will make more money than someone who works for a local Vet Clinic like Town and Country.

12. My Profession Today  There is a high demand for Vet Techs  There are some problems, though. Like: Clinics hiring Vet Techs that haven’t passed their boards yet, and aren’t certified Techs  Those people have to be let go if a person that is certified applies for the job  Vet Techs that have passed their boards are paid higher than Techs that have not  But, Techs that have not passed their boards can still be hired by clinics to do simple work  There is a high demand for Vet Techs  There are some problems, though. Like: Clinics hiring Vet Techs that haven’t passed their boards yet, and aren’t certified Techs  Those people have to be let go if a person that is certified applies for the job  Vet Techs that have passed their boards are paid higher than Techs that have not  But, Techs that have not passed their boards can still be hired by clinics to do simple work

13. From here to there  Steps to get where I am going  First you have to take a test at Rend Lake to be considered for the SICCM program  Then Rend Lake takes the top 5 test scores and accepts those people into the program  After being accepted into the program you have to attend 3 meetings over the summer  Then your program starts in the fall!  I will be attending the SICCM Vet Tech Program in Herrin, IL this fall and I am super excited!  Steps to get where I am going  First you have to take a test at Rend Lake to be considered for the SICCM program  Then Rend Lake takes the top 5 test scores and accepts those people into the program  After being accepted into the program you have to attend 3 meetings over the summer  Then your program starts in the fall!  I will be attending the SICCM Vet Tech Program in Herrin, IL this fall and I am super excited!

14. Things to do to help yourself excel  While you are a student, you have to have 30 hours of in-clinic time.  To help yourself learn the ropes, you can volunteer at a local clinic.  I work at the Town and Country Vet Clinic here in town on Saturday mornings.  This has taught me many basic skills and medicines  While you are a student, you have to have 30 hours of in-clinic time.  To help yourself learn the ropes, you can volunteer at a local clinic.  I work at the Town and Country Vet Clinic here in town on Saturday mornings.  This has taught me many basic skills and medicines

15. Where to get a job  Many Vet Techs work in small clinics  You can also work for a Ranch or a big cattle farmer  There is high demand for large animal Vet Techs  There are really no obstacles in the way of getting a job except you have to pass your boards  Any Clinic you apply to is definitely more likely to hire you if you have already passed your boards  Many Vet Techs work in small clinics  You can also work for a Ranch or a big cattle farmer  There is high demand for large animal Vet Techs  There are really no obstacles in the way of getting a job except you have to pass your boards  Any Clinic you apply to is definitely more likely to hire you if you have already passed your boards

16. Where will I go to get a job?  I wouldn’t have to move to get a job. I could work at the Town and Country Vet Clinic here in McLeansboro  I want to move to the city and find a higher paying clinic  I would love to work for a Animal Rescue Center and help get abandoned animals ready for adoption  I may stay around here for a while just to get on my feet financially but then I will move away and work somewhere bigger!  I wouldn’t have to move to get a job. I could work at the Town and Country Vet Clinic here in McLeansboro  I want to move to the city and find a higher paying clinic  I would love to work for a Animal Rescue Center and help get abandoned animals ready for adoption  I may stay around here for a while just to get on my feet financially but then I will move away and work somewhere bigger!

17. Works Cited  http://www.datemplate.com/post_vet-assistant-salary_328337/ http://www.datemplate.com/post_vet-assistant-salary_328337/  http://www.vettechguide.org/vet-tech-jobs-market/ http://www.vettechguide.org/vet-tech-jobs-market/  https://www.mockquestions.com/position/Veterinary+Technician/ https://www.mockquestions.com/position/Veterinary+Technician/  http://www.datemplate.com/post_vet-assistant-salary_328337/ http://www.datemplate.com/post_vet-assistant-salary_328337/  http://www.vettechguide.org/vet-tech-jobs-market/ http://www.vettechguide.org/vet-tech-jobs-market/  https://www.mockquestions.com/position/Veterinary+Technician/ https://www.mockquestions.com/position/Veterinary+Technician/