Scientific animal careers

chantedsnicker · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 09:09 AM

Hi Everyone,

I am hoping that someone here may be able to give me some advice.

I have an honours degree in Human Biology & Infectious Diseases and I am currently studying for my MSc Epidemiology part-time while working in an epidemiology unit.

The problem is I am rapidly reaching the conclusion that this isn't what I want to do with my life. I have gone on some volunteer holidays over the past few years which has enabled me to take part in animal based projects and have very recently started volunteering at my local zoo as a result of this.

Ideally I would like to get into veterinary epidemiology or to get involved in scientific research looking at animals but I fear I don't have the right qualifications and it's not going to be as easy to side-step into this career as I would have liked.

I'm starting to ramble on a bit here so I will get to the point. Is there anything people can suggest to help? Where to look for a job? Or short-courses I can look at doing which might be useful (I'm not sure what counts as a 'recognisable' course)?

Any help of any kind would be really helpful at this stage as I'm slightly overwhelmed and confused.

Thanks so much
Chantil

Cowgirl · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 05:16 PM

Hi Chantil, welcome to the forum. If it hasn't changed it's name by now, try looking up on the VLA (Veterinary Laboratories Agency) website. They do all that you mentioned, but you should be aware that a lot of the work will entail Post Mortems. There are centres all over the country, HQ at Addlestone, Surrey.

chantedsnicker · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2010, 12:44 PM

Thank you so much for the suggestion. I'll look into it.

I really hope I can find something good, even if it takes a little while.

Cowgirl · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 11:08 AM

No problem, Good luck

Cotham Marble · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chantedsnicker

The problem is I am rapidly reaching the conclusion that this isn't what I want to do with my life. I have gone on some volunteer holidays over the past few years which has enabled me to take part in animal based projects and have very recently started volunteering at my local zoo as a result of this. Ideally I would like to get into veterinary epidemiology or to get involved in scientific research looking at animals but I fear I don't have the right qualifications and it's not going to be as easy to side-step into this career as I would have liked. Any help of any kind would be really helpful at this stage as I'm slightly overwhelmed and confused.
Chantil

It's probably worth looking at the RVC website: Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health (VEPH) - Postgraduate Training and http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Postgraduate/Do...asters_epi.pdf

It's possible that your Current Msc would give your credits toward a Msc in VetEp, so you may get the 2nd Msc part time in just one year. It might also be worth talking to your current course advisor who just migh have contacts in Animal Science.

CM

chantedsnicker · #6 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 09:30 AM

Thanks for the advice. I've actually been looking at the RVC website.

I'm doing my Epidemiology Masters with the LSHTM who jointly run the Vet Epi MSc with RVC so I have a meeting with one of my course organisers tomorrow. I'm going to see if it's possible to transfer.

You're suggestion at least makes me feel that this career change is going to be possible and I can start feeling a little more positive about it all.

The trick is going to be finding a job which will let me finish my MSc as well.