Portia Swankie has left nothing to chance with her career path. On the cusp of completing her third animal sciences course at TAFE Gippsland, this 20-year-old animal lover from the Yarra Valley admits she isn’t done yet!
“My plan after finishing my Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is to stay and work at Yarra Valley Vet Surgery and then do a course in business management so I can one day possibly manage in a vet clinic, but I also would love to volunteer as a vet nurse overseas and work in the UK, maybe do something in emergency too.”
With so many possibilities, the world is most definitely Portia’s oyster. So how did she get started on such a solid career trajectory?
“I’ve never really seen myself going into a job that doesn’t involve animals and vet nursing made it possible to care for animals when they are at their most vulnerable,” Portia said.
“So, I started my studies with a Certificate II in Animal Studies then completed Certificate III in Animal Care Services last year with TAFE Gippsland which was great and the perfect introduction to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.”
Portia at home in the Yarra Valley with her dog Lucy.
Living and working in a picturesque agricultural area of Victoria’s Yarra Valley with a menagerie of pets including goats, a sheep, a lizard, a turtle and two kelpies, Portia’s pre-conditioned passion for the animal kingdom has set her up for success in her chosen vocation.
While she hasn’t had to think twice about the path she’s on, Portia admits her study journey hasn’t been all fluffy puppies and bunny rabbits.
“The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is a really hard course, but I have found all the trainers at TAFE Gippsland more than helpful and super friendly,” Portia said.
“They genuinely care about your studies and want to help. The course helps prepare you for the real world because you have to be doing placement and working in a clinic as you complete this course and that sets you up for what it will be like once you’re working in the industry.
“There are so many possibilities of what you can do as a vet nurse and I want to try everything. I love it and love the connections you make with the clientele and other staff members.”
Want to TAFE your way into a lifelong career that you love?
We have a variety of courses to help you build your career in the animal care industry.
To work as a vet nurse, you will need a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (Free TAFE). Find out about our other Animal Studies courses that will help get you where you want to be!
Head to the course page on our website for more information or send us an email today!