Is the Dalhousie Vet Tech Diploma Worthwhile?
Some background: I graduated from Dalhousie last year with my BSc in Marine Biology. My plan was to graduate, get a job, work as much as possible to pay down my loans, get a car, and eventually complete my DVM at the AVC. For this plan, I chose to stay in Halifax (despite being from AB) and have been applying to jobs even remotely related to my degree, and jobs not related to my degree, for more than a year. I have received no interviews and only a couple of call-backs, wherein the call-backs didn't lead to interviews because I don't have a car (which I can't afford because I don't have a high enough paying job). I have spoken to, and continue to speak to, advisors about my resume/cover letter.
I've just been working retail/service jobs, plus brief contracts as a TA, to survive. On a whim, about 2 months ago, I decided to apply for the veterinary technology program in Truro. My thought was that, if I can't get a job, I'll go back to school for something that I'm likely to get a job in that also moves me towards my goal of veterinary medicine.
I received my acceptance only a couple weeks after completing the application requirements. The advisor I spoke to was very strongly against working while in the program because it's a huge workload, however I have very little savings, no family money, and what feels like an overwhelming amount of debt. I have worked 1 to 4 jobs at a time almost constantly since 2018, even through full-time school for my BSc. I'd need to move to Truro from Halifax, continue paying for rent and food, and get and pay for a car. At this point I've already invested $360 in the application and its acceptance. I'm really questioning if it's worthwhile, so my question (for other people who have completed this diploma) is just that: Was the vet tech diploma worth it for you? Were you able to get a decent paying job soon after graduation? Also, if you did the diploma, did you work during it?
TLDR: Got accepted into vet tech diploma, but have no money and no car. Is it worth pursuing the diploma or should I stick with struggling to survive and constant job hunting and just putting my future on hold?
Posted Apr 15, 2025, 7:26 PM UTC