Thinking about using my GI bill

[Mr Oni]

I'm coming to a point where I just want to do what I have interest in and that keeps coming back to animals.

I've had it in my head since I was a teen to pursue something in computers since money and availability would be plentiful in that field....but I really have no interest in it.

I live near Cornell which is one of the best schools for animal "stuff" I hear.
I would love to be a vet but just looking at the process to be looked at is daunting, I'm 30 and I honestly don't think I can compete with fresh young minds.

I don't want to work with cats dogs or farm animals either.
I have nothing against them but there's a ton of people who already do thems guys....and I'm kind of afraid of farm animals eating me.

Spread education and help the shunned animals of the world I guess.
Just don't know where to start other than drowning my brain in webpages that don't really entail much of anything.

I guess it's a lazy Sunday coffee (beer) chat day for me.

Cheers



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[NH93]

I have nothing against them but there's a ton of people who already do thems guys....and I'm kind of afraid of farm animals eating me.

Spread education and help the shunned animals of the world I guess.

I love how those two sentences are right next to each other... LOL!

I think if you have the means and the motivation, you can do what you wish. 30 is not "old" to be in school, if that is what you are worried about. If anything, you've now got life experience. I am a typical 4th year university student at a typical university student-age. I see 40- and 50-somethings in my classes quite often, and really, they have a unique perspective on things that young minds just don't have. I think you are at a great age if you do choose to go back to school, because you are both a "young mind" and have that unique experience and perspective. You can do it!

On that note, I think it is admirable what you want to do. We all know how few and far between good herp vets are - or just herp vets in general, never mind good ones!
If you really want to work with animals, I know for me personally I'd rather be a vet tech or work in an established zoo or animal rescue versus being a vet, as it's a little more hands-on (and less surgery/not fun stuff). Have you thought about volunteering first?

All the best!

[Mr Oni]

Thanks for your reply it's encouraging to hear.

I'm thinking your on to something with the tech and zoo thing.
I've been looking around my schools but all the advisors seem to just wanna send me links to vet stuff.

Volunteering wouldn't work at the moment but depending on what it would lead to who knows.

Who knew it was so hard to figure out what to do when you grew up......shoulda stuck with choo choo train driver




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[Coopers Constrictors]

30? Hell... You're just getting broken in! Do you have the post 9/11 or montgomery? They say if you love what you do, you never "work" a day in your life. Do what you're going to enjoy brother! I'll be gobbling up my GI bill in the next year or so as well. I only have a few weeks left on active duty. I feel your pain! Decisions decisions...

[alan12013]

Good luck to both of you! I tried the GI bill and found the contracting jobs to be much more lucrative. Also doing what you love can reduce so much stress and make your overall life so much better. I for one really hope to work with animals for a living one day no matter how it happens.

[Mr Oni]

30? Hell... You're just getting broken in! Do you have the post 9/11 or montgomery? They say if you love what you do, you never "work" a day in your life. Do what you're going to enjoy brother! I'll be gobbling up my GI bill in the next year or so as well. I only have a few weeks left on active duty. I feel your pain! Decisions decisions...

A few weeks? Congrats.
Get that VA stuff taken care of.


Post 9/11 is what I went with.
I'm rolling with the same thought of "doing what you love" I'm tired of hating my jobs and I want to feel useful again.

Military was a love/hate thing but I felt useful and somehow no matter how much hate I always loved it a tad more.

I make/made (laid off now) nanotechnology stuff...good pay and all that but It sucks and is a dead end no one cares industry.


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[Mr Oni]

Good luck to both of you! I tried the GI bill and found the contracting jobs to be much more lucrative. Also doing what you love can reduce so much stress and make your overall life so much better. I for one really hope to work with animals for a living one day no matter how it happens.

Right on, I'd run with contracting but operating tanks gives me the...."oh....yea, sorry we don't have anything for you"

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[OsirisRa32]

Just go and DO EEET!!!

My bf is 36, has 3 years left on the GI Bill and is finally looking at going back to school...you are never too old to start or finish.

I'm 28 and JUST finished my double major. Took me basically 10 years on and off and 2 years of not taking any classes and 3 years of basically everything I took was a wash. (including my first actual 2 years of college when I was 18/19).

[OsirisRa32]

Right on, I'd run with contracting but operating tanks gives me the...."oh....yea, sorry we don't have anything for you"

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Look into the heavy machine operations stuff?

Or the energy/oil production sectors/mining etc...lots of heavy/big machinery to play with...operating tanks should be looked at as similar experience?

[Mr Oni]

Look into the heavy machine operations stuff?

Or the energy/oil production sectors/mining etc...lots of heavy/big machinery to play with...operating tanks should be looked at as similar experience?

You would think it would but it doesn't.
Most military experience means Jack.
Unless you have certifications that can directly transfer AND are excepted most people are out of luck.

I would still need certificates and experience to do what anyone else would need to.

I did 2 years as a union pipefitter/plumber apprentice and I don't like a lot of dudes who work in construction.

The work stunk too....



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