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The field of veterinary medicine encompasses dozens of professions. Along with traditional veterinarians, for example, where are paravetinary workers like veterinary technologists. Veterinary technologists aren’t considered licensed veterinarians. Nonetheless, they play an important role in diagnosing, treating and preventing adverse medical ailments in animals. If you’re searching for a new career, a veterinary technologist might be the answer. Below are seven reasons to start a career as a veterinary technologist.

#1) Job Security

Starting a career as a veterinary technologist offers job security. According to a recent report by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are 28,000 to 32,000 private veterinary clinics in the United States. Many of these veterinary clinics hire veterinary technologists. As a veterinary technologist, you can work at one or more clinics while assisting them in their operations. Some of the duties of working as a veterinary technologist include performing examinations, preparing animals for surgery, assisting veterinarians during surgery and administering medication. These are all essential skills that veterinary clinics need. Therefore, working as a veterinary technologist can give you job security — something that may or may not be offered by other professions.

#2) Less Schooling

You won’t have to spend as much time in school to start a career as a veterinary technologist. Licensed veterinarians, of course, must complete a four-year program known as a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). And before you can even enroll in a DVM program, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree. To become a veterinary technologist, on the other hand, you only need to complete a vet tech program, which is typically just two years long. With its low barrier of entry, veterinary technology is an attractive career choice for many animal lovers.

#3) Alternative Workplaces

While most veterinary technologists work at private veterinary clinics, there are other places where you can work as a veterinary technologist. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that some veterinary technologists work at animal hospitals, whereas others work at laboratories, universities and even human societies. All of these places require the services of veterinary technologists. By starting a career as a veterinary technologist, you won’t be tied down to any single workplace. Rather, you can explore alternative workplaces, such as those previously mentioned. Veterinary technologists provide their services at many different workplaces.

#4) Low Cost

Another reason to start a career as a veterinary technologist is its low cost. Veterinary technologists typically don’t own or otherwise run their own business. Rather, they work as employees as under other veterinary businesses, including veterinary clinics. You won’t have to purchase any equipment or supplies. The clinic or organization at which you work will provide you with everything you need. This makes veterinary technology a low-cost career choice.

The only real cost of starting a career as a veterinary technologist is schooling. You’ll have to enroll in a vet tech program. Like most higher-education programs, vet tech programs aren’t free. The good news is that they typically cost less than DVM programs. Vet tech programs are about half the length of their DVM counterparts. Because of their shorter length, they cost less than DVM programs.

#5) Save the Lives of Animals

As a veterinary technologist, you’ll play a direct role in saving the lives of animals. When an animal is sick or injured, the owner may take them to a veterinary clinic. Veterinary clinics typically have teams of multiple veterinary professionals. Within these teams are veterinary technologists. Veterinary technologists aren’t full-fledged veterinarians, but they still play a direct role in saving the lives of animals. While working as a veterinary technologist, you’ll perform a variety of medical-related tasks under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

#6) Employee Benefits

Veterinary technologies are oftentimes entitled to employee benefits. You’ll obviously get paid for your services. Wage compensation can consist of hourly wages or an annual salary. Along with wage compensation, though, you may receive other benefits. Many veterinary clinics — as well as other places of employment — offer health insurance. Some of them offer paid vacation as well. When seeing a job as a veterinary technologist, you should check the employee benefits. Employee benefits can be a deciding factor when choosing a place to work as a veterinary technologist.

#7) Career Advancement Opportunities

Not only will it offer job security, by working as a veterinary technologist will offer career advancement opportunities as well. You’ll have the freedom to progress your skills and expertise to other professions in the veterinary medical industry. If you want to become a licensed veterinarian, for example, you can enroll in a DVM program. With experience working as a veterinary technologist, you’ll have an easier time completing the DVM program.

There are also veterinary specialties for career advancement opportunities. Dentistry is one such specialty. By specializing in animal dentistry, you can provide a higher level of service that focuses on oral care. Other specialties include surgery, clinical practice, pathology and nutrition.