Forensic Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

One of the most important decisions a student makes during his or her high school years is what career he or she wants to study in college. There are many career options that an individual can choose from in the math, science, humanities and art fields. When considering a career field to go into it is important to consider personal interests, skills and goals. Two career fields I am interested in are forensic science and veterinary medicine. One profession that has interested me during my high school years is forensic science.

Forensic science is the application of the different science fields in the analysis of evidence to provide scientific bases for conclusions. (“Forensic Sciences”) I became interested in forensic science because of a project I did for a school science fair. For the science project I had to develop a hypothesis and then create an experiment to test that hypothesis.

The hypothesis I developed for my project was whether or not foot size correlates to a person’s height.

From my hypothesis I developed an experiment where I would measure multiple tests subjects’ feet and height. Based on the data I collected, I was then able to calculate an individual’s predicted height from their foot size. The most fascinating part of my science experiment was that the method I used to prove my hypothesis is used in real life situations. Forensic scientists use this method to estimate a person’s height based on a footprint found at a crime scene.

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A particular field in forensic science that interests me the most is crime analysis. The many murder mysteries and crime solving shows aired on TV have greatly influenced my interest in this particular field. Even though the representation of a forensic scientist’s job is depicted differently from real life in TV shows, the importance of a forensic scientist’s job stands out to me. The role of a forensic scientist is crucial in the solving of murders and other crimes and bringing justice for victims.

There are various professions an individual can branch off into after studying for a degree in forensic science. A few professions an individual can enter are private investigations, crime scene analysis or forensic toxicology. (“Jobs in Forensic Laboratory Science”). However, any individual will find joining the work force competitive for any profession he or she enters. Employers will be looking for individuals with a relevant degree and ample work experience. An internship is an important factor in the development of a career. A good internship is important in the beginning of an individual’s career because it enables him or her to garner the work experience employers are looking for in their potential employees. Therefore, it is important to choose an internship that is in the area of one’s personal interest. There are a few drawbacks that one can enter when entering the field of forensic science. Forensic scientists work long hours because there are many cases that require painstakingly detailed work. Examining evidence and analyzing crime scenes immediately are important in solving murder cases and missing persons cases because the first 48 hours are crucial.

This requires working well beyond the normal hours in a working day. Working on crime scenes can expose forensic scientists to hazardous conditions. It is important for an individual to have training for all types of situations he or she may encounter. In a situation like this, training is important in the handling of hazardous materials because it could impact one’s health or life. Some of the crime scenes investigators examine can be disturbing. Over time, investigating disturbing crime scenes can impacts one’s mental health and well being. An individual who may not be able to handle the stresses of analyzing crime scenes first hand can still go into another related field of work. (“Crime Scene Investigator”). Another profession I am interested in is veterinary medicine. The thought of what if I became a veterinarian crossed my mind one day during my dog’s routine check-up.

The staff and the doctors were always happy to see my dog and they handled him with care and warmth. I always thought my dog got excited when he would see the familiar faces of the staff at the veterinary clinic. The interactions veterinary technicians and veterinarians have with their patients displays their dedication and passion for their job. Veterinary medicine interests me because the main focus is on biology which is the study of living organisms. Biology out of all the science fields interests me the most. Becoming a veterinarian would require studying the different species, their body structures and how they function.

Another reason for my interest is that some colleges offer pre professional health programs for their students to enroll in. The pre-professional program would enable an individual to major in any science field and be immersed in coursework necessary for veterinary school. This program would be beneficial to me because I would be able to study biology which is a possible field of study for forensic science and veterinary medicine. There are quite a few career fields an individual can go into with a degree in veterinary medicine. A few professions an individual can go into are private practice, corporate veterinary medicine or research. (“Exploring Veterinary Career Options”) Studying to become a veterinarian will be a longer, harder process than studying to become a forensic scientist. An individual will go through undergraduate studies and then apply for veterinary school.

In undergraduate school an individual should take courses in the various fields of science which will prepare them for veterinary school. (“Veterinary training”). Some colleges offer pre- professional health programs which enable students to study any major while taking requisite courses and garnering clinical experience veterinary schools want in their prospective students. In veterinary school an individual will study different courses focusing on various animal species. (“Veterinary training”) After four years in undergraduate school and four years in veterinary school an individual will have earned his or her bachelors degree in a science field and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. With a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree an individual is an official veterinarian who is qualified to treat patients. (“Veterinary training”) An individual also needs to garner experience through training, internships and other work experiences to maintain their certifications.

As in any profession there are drawbacks to becoming a veterinarian. A few drawbacks of working in a health profession would be the many years of studying required to become a qualified veterinarian. Studying to become a veterinarian will take about eight years of schooling. An individual will need to be dedicated in his or her studies because it is difficult and competitive to get into veterinary school. And even after getting into veterinary school and earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree an individual will need to continue his or her studies to maintain his or her certifications and knowledge of the practice. Working in the profession of veterinary medicine, the job of a veterinarian is very important in the treatment of animals.

If an animal is sick or needs medical attention a veterinarian needs to be available to treat those patients immediately. A new veterinarian at a practice might be given sick animals to work with because it will be something he or she will have to address continuously in this profession. When treating sick patients a veterinarian might have to euthanize some because they are too ill to be treated or are suffering. Euthanizing animals because they are sick will be an emotionally difficult situation to handle in this career. The rewards of working in either forensic science or veterinary medicine is that whatever profession I choose my work will be meaningful to myself and others. The work I will do in either field will help others whether it is getting justice for a victim or helping an animal who is sick. Both professions have drawn my interest because of the various fields I can go into through them.

The connection between the both through the various fields of science will enable me to possibly pursue both careers at different points of my life. Forensic science and veterinary medicine are both STEM professions which are professions involved in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields. Professions in a STEM field are currently higher in demand and pay better than average. The average annual wage for a forensic scientist is $57,850. (“19-4092 Forensic Science Technicians”) With hard work and more experience throughout my years in this profession my salary will increase. The annual average wage for a veterinarian is $90,420. (“29-1131 Veterinarians”) In any profession an individual may go into salary increases with position and the experience. The most important part of finding a profession is being able to like what you are going to do with your life. In 7-10 years I envision that I will have completed my undergraduate and graduate studies for the profession I have chosen. The profession I might choose is not clear to me now, but will be in the future. When I choose that profession I will be in the work force helping better the world. My ultimate goal is to achieve a doctorate in either profession