Employment advice?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

Hello all, first time posting, so sorry if I do something wrong.

I am currently in my third year of a 5-year plan, getting my B.S. in Biology. I haven’t 100% decided on graduate school or trying to go straight into the workforce, but I do know I’d like to work hands on with animals, not just doing hands-off research.
I’ve been working at my part-time job now for almost a year, doing a lot of theatrical technician type things, and my supervisors have mentioned that they’re considering me for a promotion. I love my job. I like what I do, and I like my coworkers. But, I am concerned about the fact that it does not pertain to my area of study at all. The only experience I have working with animals is when I did some dogsitting in high school, and I don’t want my lack of experience to be a reason to not get into a graduate program or to not get a job in the future.
Would it be best to stick with my current job for as long as possible, or prioritize trying to find a job working at a humane society or vet’s office?

2

You can keep your current job, but add in some volunteer work related to animals. In addition, if you aren’t already doing it, see if you can get involved in a bio or animal science professor’s research. Build experience in this way, and use it to get an internship related to something in bio or with animals. The internship could be over a summer, and you might have to temporarily leave this job in order to complete it, but it’s part of what will get you a “real” job when you graduate, so prioritize it.

If you’re thinking of vet school, there are very specific things you need to be doing in terms of volunteer work and etc. now. If this is a possible path, meet with the pre-health/pre-vet advisor on your campus early in the spring term, so you can get started on that.

3

You need to quit your current job & work in an animal science or animal care position if desiring to go to a school of veterinary medicine (which is harder to get into than medical school & requires demonstrated interest).