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What is an accessible way to get into the biology/zoology field?

I want to work with animals, but I also want to make a decent amount of money eventually. What kind of positions should I aim for, what requirements do I need to get a job at a zoo or a similar facility. (I am not interested in Veterinary practice)

career veterinary animals animal-health zoology wildlife zookeeper
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Anwen’s Answer

Look at animal techs for research facilities. They make pretty good money, you work inside, the work isn't hard physically and you often work at a universities which get you benefits like taking classes.
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Cynthia’s Answer

Many jobs in the wildlife field do not pay well and unfortunately may of the jobs/opportunities to help rack up experience will not pay well either. If you reach the higher ranks in some institutions, you may earn well after years of work, but overall don't expect much. A good way to scope average salaries and wages for a variety of jobs is to look at job postings throughout the year. This will give you a better idea of what these jobs entail and the qualifications of the "perfect" applicant would be. I say "perfect" because that is the ideal candidate, but many less qualified candidates have made it through, nonetheless so don't lose hope yet. If there is a zoo or another institution you have your eye on working for some day, start by volunteering or getting an entry job first and work your way up. Many places pick their permanent staff from these personnel rather than hire someone new directly into those positions because they gain trust and value the experienced gained over time. Plus, they get someone who knows how the company/institution works and know how to do the job already. That way they do not have to dedicate time to training a new person. Some people get lucky and get a permanent position shortly after earning a bachelors degree and a lot of times it is who you know and the type of experience you have. I would absolutely recommend getting a bachelors degree to start with. Getting a masters degree or a Ph.D may help once you have some experience under your belt and have worked for a company for a while, but they can be a burden as you may become overqualified for "entry-level" jobs or technician work when you first start. So, it is more helpful to get the much-needed experience under your belt before thinking about grad school. Some of these jobs don't even need a graduate degree and it is important to note that a graduate degree, depending on the field, is not always necessary to earn a higher wage (this is coming from someone who has a Masters degree). Some institutions even help pay for you to go back to school if they see it as beneficial. Many of the opportunities to get you started in the wildlife/conservation field are more suited for individuals with no bills to pay and are still in undergrad. This would be the BEST time to gain experience and bounce around the country for these experiences and tech jobs to start. It all depends on what specific job you are going for though because there are so many different job paths one can take to work with animals in the end.

Cynthia recommends the following next steps:

Check out the Wildlife Science Career network facebook group or something similar
Look into undergraduate programs if that is next in your future
Start volunteering at a zoo, wildlife rehabilitation center, university laboratory, etc. ASAP
If you can save up the money for it, or there is a program that can help pay for it, go to a conference in a field you like and start networking!
Look at wildlife job boards for job postings to get an idea of jobs in the field
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Bill’s Answer

Hi Samuel!

1. Obtain a bachelor's degree
Most organizations require you to earn at least a bachelor's degree to work as a zoologist. Consider a degree in animal health and behavior, wildlife conservation, captive wildlife care or wildlife and fisheries biology.

Typically, it can take about four years to earn a bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation, which is the basic level of zoologist education needed to enter the field and begin your career. Some courses you may take during your program include biology, chemistry, physics and math.

2. Pursue volunteer opportunities and internships
To differentiate yourself when you graduate and apply for jobs, consider gaining practical experience at internships, summer work placements or volunteer jobs. Contact local zoos or organizations that offer volunteer opportunities or internships.

This can serve as a helpful introduction to different areas of zoology for you and how to interact with various animals. Additionally, pursuing volunteer or internship opportunities may help you earn college credit while networking with professionals that can help you in your career.

3. Earn a graduate degree in zoology
Many employers require a master's degree or Ph.D. for this role. Check with your undergraduate university to see if it offers a graduate program in zoology. You might consider a Ph.D. program if you're looking for researching and teaching opportunities in the field. Usually, earning a master's degree may take about two years with 30 hours of fieldwork, while a Ph.D. program may require at least five years of academic instruction.

I hope this helps!
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