Can you PLEASE take my interview?

Question
My name is Marlon McLean. I am 16 years old, and I attend Middle Creek High School, Apex NC. I have to do an English project dealing with me interviewing someone in the career field that I someday hope to join. In doing so, I would appreciate it if you would take the time out to answer some questions that I have about being a veterinarian.


1.   What made you want to pursue your career in this field?
2.   What are the advantages and disadvantages of the job?
3.   Are there any breath-taking situations on the job?
4.   Is this career what you thought it would be?
5.   Does this job make you think pf doing/being something better that what you are now?
6.   Does this job support you physically, mentally and emotionally?
7.   Has this job inspired you to strive for more than what you are striving for now?
8.   Is life easier now that you have worked for the career you're in now?
9.   Are there times when you dread doing this job?
10.   If someone wanted to enter into this career, what encouraging words can you give them, and why?
11.   How many years of schooling did it take to get you where you are now?
12.   Were you nervous entering this career?
13.   What are your hours that you pull a day?
14.   What's more interesting, the job or the money?
15.   How many years have you been in this field/career?
16.   What is the proper attire for the job?
17.   If you don't mind me asking, what is your average salary? Weekly, monthly and yearly?
18.   Is this job supportive of you and your family?
19.   Have you ever encountered any risks or injuries on the job?
20.   What's the most important thing about this job to you?
21.   Are the benefits good?
Thanks again for your time, my e-mail address is mcleanmarlon@hotmail.com  

Answer
1. What made you want to pursue your career in this field?
I always loved animals and had a great interest in science and math. I wanted to be a vet since I was a kid.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the job?
Advantages--getting to see puppies and kittens, knowing you are helping people and animals, healing the sick, making lasting relationships with clients and their pets

Disadvantages--long hours, putting animals to sleep, stress, not being able to cure all animals

3. Are there any breath-taking situations on the job?
Emergencies like animals that have been hit by a car, some surgeries, life or death situations

4. Is this career what you thought it would be?
Yes

5. Does this job make you think pf doing/being something better that what you are now?
No

6. Does this job support you physically, mentally and emotionally?
Yes

7. Has this job inspired you to strive for more than what you are striving for now?
I enjoy what I do and I want to continuously learn more medical information to help my patients.

8. Is life easier now that you have worked for the career you're in now?
This is my first job since graduating vet school and my only career. Some days it is hard, but overall I am very satisfied with my career.

9. Are there times when you dread doing this job?
Yes when they are staff conflicts or knowing that I have to put an animal to sleep or if I have difficult clients to deal with.

10. If someone wanted to enter into this career, what encouraging words can you give them, and why?
Study hard and stick with it. It is a long haul (7-8 yrs of school) but it is worth all the smiles and thank yous that you get.

11. How many years of schooling did it take to get you where you are now?
8 years...4 undergraduate and 4 Veterinary Med. School

12. Were you nervous entering this career?
No.

13. What are your hours that you pull a day?
Anywhere from 7-12 hours plus on call

14. What's more interesting, the job or the money?
The job...no 2 days are ever a like.

15. How many years have you been in this field/career?
Almost 6.

16. What is the proper attire for the job?
Dress pants and shirt plus white lab coat. On surgery days I wear scrubs.

17. If you don't mind me asking, what is your average salary? Weekly, monthly and yearly?
It really depends on experience and where you live. Average salary for a small animal veterinarian in this area is about $60,000-70,000 a year.

18. Is this job supportive of you and your family?
Yes, but I am single.

19. Have you ever encountered any risks or injuries on the job?
Yes, animal bites! And animals suspected of having Rabies.

20. What's the most important thing about this job to you?
Making the animals well and people happy.

21. Are the benefits good?
That depends on where you work. I have paid health insurance but no eye or dental. Paid vacation, sick days and continuing education allowance. No retirement plan.