The Thriving Equine Professional | Career Connections, Equine Industry Resources, Career Advice. · JodiSpeaksLIFE: Speaker, Career Success Coach, Podcaster

72 | How to Navigate and Explore Non-Traditional Equine Careers

·37 min·1 clip

Why do I want to go to vet school and put myself in even more debt to be unhappy?

Jodi Lynch-Findley interviews Megan Smith, a career professional who challenges the 'vet school or nothing' narrative limiting young equine enthusiasts. Megan shares how switching from equine studies to biology three weeks before college—despite advisor skepticism—opened unexpected career paths. After discovering unhappy veterinarians, she redirected from vet school toward veterinary technician work, her 'absolute favorite position.' She discovered her core values through varied roles: biology expertise, equine passion, teaching, and management. When New Jersey's low technician pay forced a choice, she transitioned to pharmaceutical industry (Zoetis), eventually reaching director of sales. The episode emphasizes that equine careers extend far beyond vet/trainer/barn manager stereotypes. Megan advises her college self to add a business minor to her biology major. Throughout, the hosts model mentorship and self-reflection, emphasizing how early career 'wrong turns' taught essential skills and clarified values.

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