Vet confessions on student debt

Editor's note: These confessions were submitted through dvm360.com or written live at Fetch dvm360 by attendees. Need to get something off your chest? You can submit an anonymous confession here.

Whether it's made light of or made into the dark storm cloud hanging over your head, veterinary professionals have a wide spectrum of thoughts and feelings when it comes to the subject of student debt. Through the Vet Confessionals Project, an anonymous effort that allows veterinary professionals to express themselves freely, you can take a closer look at how your colleagues in the veterinary world feel.

I feel lucky that my tuition in Canada was so much less … feel bad that that is an added struggle for other folks. 

I am so tired of working FOR someone else. Want to own my own practice, but will never ever be out of debt.

Intern to owner in 18 months in Indiana - ???

After working for years as an associate vet & saying to myself I NEVER want to own my own practice, I'm jumping off the deep end & starting my own next year. Life changes & brings new opportunities. DON'T let debt be the reason to deny yourself your dream.

I'm struggling with feeling bitter about my career because I'm overwhelmed with student loan debt.

Continue reading on the next page.

I still love the job but I wish I knew in advance that becoming a vet means being poor your whole life. Thanks student loans!

I feel like I do so much CE & study so much to better myself but that it doesn't matter and that I deserve to get paid more & not be struggling so much. Student loans suck. =(

My family says I'll be fine … The older veterinarians say I'll never pay it back and was stupid to take on the debt … I don't know who to believe. Will my debt define me forever?

I hate my job, career, & life. I'm 6 figures in debt, 37, been practicing 10 years, have been fired twice, have had to move annually past 5 years, single, childless. Fuck this “profession” and my old boss.

I'm graduating in a year and am terrified that I'll never pay off my $200,000 debt :(

Feeling the sting of student debt? Learn how to curb your student debt in our most recent Leadership Challenge. Here, we'll explore the realities of student debt as well as various professional and personal options that could help restrain the stresses and limitations it brings. Our ultimate goal: to curb debt's control over your life so it doesn't curb your enthusiasm for this amazing profession. Have a student debt confession of your own? Submit it here.