Obsessing about a career change

I may have posted about this exact subject before, so if this is a repeat I apologize.

I have been working as an engineer for 6 years now. Some days my job is interesting. Most days I feel like a wheel in a corporate machine. I have felt a desire to do something with my life that gives back to the community. I have this thought that it would be very rewarding to give back through my career, by doing work that actually means something.

There are a few problems I am facing:

1. My new career of choice would be a veterinarian. This makes zero financial sense for me. But it is what my brain is telling myself I *really* want to do.

2. A reasonable suggestion might be to volunteer at an animal shelter. Problem with that is that my husband fears it will add fuel to the pre-existing vet fire. Part of me feels he’s being really unfair and controlling about volunteering, but he is my husband, his opinion should matter, right?

I don’t know how to talk to him without him thinking it’s just another obsessive bipolar whim (I really am diagnosed with bp). I have had obsessions like this before, like the idea of buying a house for example. I guess I’m just looking for suggestions about communication, and whether he is overstepping in saying what I should and shouldn’t be doing. Thanks.

Hello there!

So do you mean that your husband does not want you to pursue a vet degree and career? If it would impact your household finances negatively, I can understand that could be a concern, or perhaps the time commitment involved in going back to school for four years to become a vet and being able to commit the time and resources.... but other than that, what would be the issue? There's no harm in volunteering, and in fact, it's an admirable cause to volunteer one's time.

Do you have kids? Is that a part of his concern? That you would be away from other responsibilities?

Your husband's opinion matters and you would need his support. If you are really committed to changing careers and volunteering to get there, you need his full support. I would just try to have an open and honest conversation with him about what his real concerns are, and how feasible it is for you to pursue this dream. (((hugs)))

I think volunteering at a nonprofit shelter or vet clinic would be a great way to see if you really want to go through with the career change and at the same time, if not, you still fulfill the need in you to help animals. I really don't see a down side. Even if you can't change careers right now, it will help fulfill that need in you to have a purpose.

Seesaw

I think you should be able to volunteer at an animal shelter without your husband's permission.