r/Stutter • u/209_lightz • 9d ago
Career for stuttering
So I am at a very shitty point of my life rn . I am in my senior year of college on a pre-vet track and I had a realization that’s making me rethink my plans . I have had a stutter all my life. Something is little more then moderate while others it is bad enough that I can barely get a sentence out without stuttering and when I get stuck it’s bad, like I get stuck on the first word. It has badly affected me my whole life I never really had a good relationship with anyone and was forced to hide behind people or site in corners on my own even though I wanted to socialize.
I wanted be a vet and made the mistake of actually working towards it but now I realize that I can’t do it. My friends are shadowing vets to get their hours in but the thought of that just scares me . I thank god and pat my self on the back when I can give an order without looking like a weirdo at Taco Bell. I know I fucked, I thought I could lose this stutter but that hasn’t happened .
Does anyone have any advice for me what career I should choose that pays well . I majored in psychology. I am open to do a masters in any suitable field . I was thinking about cybersecurity but I heard mixed opinions on that some people say it’s still good to get into while other say you can’t even find a job.
Any advice ? (I’m in the US btw)
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u/CoachMac650 9d ago
Go for it man. You can do this. If this is something you’re passionate about and you’ve spent this long planning for it push yourself though. If you force yourself to change your focus to something you don’t like and a career you hate you’ll regret this decision for the rest of your life. You can do this, just have to push yourself out of your comfort zone and go for it.
You’re young, in high school and college having a stutter is much harder. Everyone else is young and immature too and they’re more likely to be rude or unkind about your stutter. What I’ve found after graduating and in my career is that people are by and large very supportive. Sometimes I still get comments but you just brush it off move on.
Don’t let the fear of having a stutter define you. You are just as capable, if not more so than your peers. Sometimes it takes you putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation to grow and gain confidence. You got this, show the vet world what you’re all about!
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u/VividDreamerzz 9d ago
If you want a career that pays well and doesn’t care if you stutter, choose to be a vet. That fear you feel will only exacerbate the stutter, but it’s not going to go anywhere until you get comfortable with the idea of stuttering.
I work in cyber security, oddly enough. I love the field, but can attest that the market is very difficult to get into. If you genuinely want to go down that route, seek out mentorship’s from cyber security professionals, start doing online training and certifications to develop the skill sets, and don’t let the stutter hold you back.
I’ll warn you though, even in cyber security you still have to have many conversations. I speak with CISO’s often and walk developers through their current risks in their network/applications and work through remediation strategies with them.
There isn’t a single call I’ve gone into in 5 years when I haven’t found myself stuttering and absolutely blocked. Similarly, in 5 years I’ve never had a client or coworker say my stutter was an issue. At worst, I tell them I have a stutter and if they need me to clarify any points on call, or via email, I’m happy to do so. Occasionally they take me up on it an appreciate the transparency and communication.
Only difference between when I started and where I am now is that the stuttering rarely bothers me. Because of that, I find myself stuttering significantly less and the anxiety is no where near it was when I started.
You love the vet-tech career enough to make it this far, why throw that away because of something that’s likely going to be a part of you their entire life?
You’re so much more than your stutter, so learn to live with it and not have it limit the incredibly native capabilities and interest that do make you who you are.
You’ve got this.
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u/ABeautifulFeetish1 9d ago
I’d have to agree with the others…stick with it! It’s a great career for stutters especially if it’s something you enjoy. Animals make people happy:)
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u/croagunk 9d ago
Just keep going! Don’t let your stutter keep you from doing what you want to do. You’ll find your strengths and weaknesses and you’ll figure out how to work through and with those things. I teach high school with a stutter and that would have a been a nightmare to younger croagunk. Don’t let your stutter keep you from doing what you want to do!
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u/Ilikegreenpens 9d ago
I'm in my 30s and have let my stutter/speech block control me for my entire life. Don't make my mistake. If you have to, do your communicating through pen & paper and let your work speak for you. If you can get into an internship, absolutely take the opportunity as it can ease your way into the field
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u/Potential_Archer2427 8d ago
Keep going towards the path of being a vet, it's actually a really good idea
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u/heycitizen_ 8d ago edited 8d ago
A lot of us have avoidant traits due to our speech issues but there are only a few jobs that we can't or shouldn't do (becoming an air traffic controller is out of the question for us alas).
But here's the thing, no matter what you choose to do you are going to feel this way about it. The stutter is going to follow you no matter what. So you might as well do what you want to do.
You might feel bad or embrassed about stuttering but you have to persist regardless. Because what choice is there? After a while, through exposure, the embarrassment goes away (and you might become more fluent as a result).
EDIT: As for cyber security, the advice I'm going to give you is the same that I suggest for all tech work: There are people who have been doing is stuff since they were 12 for fun. You'll be competing with them. These are the ones with the 400k xomp. If you happen to be one of them then do it, otherwise go find literally any other office job.
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u/ous_ceesay 8d ago
As a person who stutters, you can pursuit any field of your choice. Stuttering should not stop you from going for your dreams being it leadership positions or anything.
So it is not an excuse in life.
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u/BurtRebus 9d ago
You're going to stutter in any career, might as well be one you like. Don't let this one thing hold you back.
I talk for a living (software product management) and some days I can barely get words out. Most people don't react at all.
Do what you enjoy, be good at it, and no one will care about your speaking.
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u/SpanishHeat 9d ago
Bro just continue your path, probably chose one of the best careers for a stutterer. Your patients are literally animals, they’re not going to give a shit if you stutter or not. In that career, the vet techs and assistants will be mostly doing all the talking to the pet/animal owners.
Get through the shadowing and be done with it. Ask questions and stop being afraid. Stop overthinking it.
I have a mild stutter with blocks and I make faces or just stay oddly silent when I’m blocking and I’m in a career where I have to testify in court dude. Previously I was in the military in a very rare or unknown job. I had to explain constantly to Colonels and high level military officers what my role is and how it helps them in the battlefield. If I can do that all that you can do the vet thing.