How To Land Your Dream Job As A Wildlife Biologist

Are you a wildlife biologist? If yes, then this is the perfect time to find your dream job. The good news is that there are many jobs available for wildlife biologists and I’m sure you will find a position that’s perfect for you. 

The bad news is that it’s not easy to land your dream job. There are many steps involved in finding and landing your dream job as a wildlife biologist but with determination and persistence; you will undoubtedly succeed in reaching your goal.

Takeaways
Pursue a relevant bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or ecology.
Develop field research techniques and data analysis skills.
Gain knowledge in habitat assessment and species identification.
Enhance communication skills for effective collaboration.
Explore job opportunities in government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Get An Associate’s Degree

To become a wildlife biologist, you’ll need to earn at least an associate’s degree in biology or a related field. A bachelor’s degree is also recommended, but it isn’t required for entry-level positions.

If you want to pursue this career path, there are several options for earning an associate’s degree in biology. You can enroll in an online program through your local community college or attend night school at the university level. 

An associate’s degree program will typically last two years and cost around $30-$40 thousand dollars total (including tuition and fees).

If you’re passionate about studying wildlife and their habitats, you should consider a career as a wildlife biologist. Our comprehensive guide on becoming a wildlife biologist provides valuable insights into the education, skills, and job opportunities in this exciting field.

Get A Bachelor’s Degree

Getting a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology is the first step to becoming a wildlife biologist. This degree will provide you with the education and training you need to succeed as a wildlife biologist, and it’s also what employers look for when they’re hiring.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school is typically required for entry-level positions in this field (some states may require additional education). 

To practice as a wildlife biologist, you’ll likely need to earn your Master of Science (MS) or Doctorate (Ph.D.) in biology, ecology, zoology, or another related subject area.

Choose Your Specialty

Choosing your specialty is a very important decision. You have to choose one that matches your interests and skills, as well as one that will be relevant to the job you want. 

If you choose a specialty that is popular, but not particularly important for the job you want, it might be obsolete in a few years. On the other hand, if you choose an obscure field of study with limited demand (like ornithology), then no one will hire you because there are no jobs in that field.

Choose a specialization within biology or environmental science and then narrow it down from there by looking up descriptions on internet search engines like Google or Bing. 

See what keywords come up when others talk about this specialization so the next step will be easier for them too!

Obtain Certification

Many organizations offer certification as a Wildlife Biologist. These include the Wildlife Society and the American Fisheries Society, among others. 

Certification can help you become more competitive in the job market and help you land your dream job as a wildlife biologist by giving hiring managers confidence that you’re qualified for the position.

Certification is also important because it provides an opportunity for networking with other professionals within your field, which is essential for developing relationships necessary for promotion within an organization. 

This is especially helpful when seeking opportunities outside of your immediate geographic area or industry sector.

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Get Relevant Experience

Volunteer at wildlife conservation organizations in your area. Many of these organizations offer internships, volunteer positions, and other opportunities to gain experience.

Volunteer abroad with a wildlife organization that focuses on species protection and education in developing countries where you want to work after graduation.

Check out volunteer opportunities at zoos, aquariums, or even wildlife rehabilitation centers near you! 

These types of places often need volunteers who are interested in helping them care for their animals (and may even allow you to get hands-on experience working with different species).

Get Familiar With The Local Regulations

The first thing you need to do is get familiar with the laws and regulations of your area. That means knowing not only the national, state, city, and county laws and regulations but also any other local ordinances that may govern wildlife handling or research. 

For example, many counties have restrictions on animal trapping activities during certain months so it’s important to know what those are before you start setting up traps in your backyard.

Enhance Your Qualification Through Training And Workshops

If you want to be a wildlife biologist, you will have to do more than “just do it.” You have to get qualified for the job and earn your stripes as a professional wildlife biologist. 

This means getting your degree in biology, perhaps taking some coursework on conservation biology, and developing an extensive network of contacts in the field. It also means getting certified in specialties like wildlife management or environmental law enforcement. 

Finally, it means gaining as much experience as possible through internships and volunteer work until you’ve built up enough credibility that an employer would be willing to take a chance on you.

Join The Leading Organization For Wildlife Biologists

If you’re looking for an organized way to network and learn more about the field, joining a wildlife organization is one of the best ways to go. 

There are many different organizations out there. If you’re interested in joining one, they must have high standards and offer quality services.

One of the leading organizations for wildlife biologists is the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). 

This organization serves as a unified voice for all state fish & wildlife agencies across America by advocating on behalf of these groups with federal lawmakers, policymakers, and stakeholders at large-scale conferences each year. 

Their main focus is advancing sound science through cooperation among states to improve hunting/angling opportunities while conserving fish & wildlife populations for future generations into perpetuity.”

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Prepare Your Resume And List Of References

You’ll want to prepare your resume, as well as a list of references.

The resume needs to be well-written and formatted, with a clear focus on the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for an entry-level position, don’t include references from professors or other people who cannot speak to your work experience. 

Instead, focus on including references from people who can speak to your skills and experience in the field (e.g., someone who has worked with you).

Search For The Positions

When you are ready to start looking for your dream job, there are many different ways to find wildlife biologist positions.

Search engines: Many people use search engines like Google and Bing, but there is also an option to use a niche-specific search engine such as Indeed or SimplyHired.

Social media: Another great way to find jobs is by using social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

The internet: You can also try searching on websites that offer job listings specifically geared towards wildlife biologists such as Monster and SimplyHired.

Phone calls: Calling up companies directly may yield some results if they don’t have any formal openings posted yet but want someone with your experience level on their team in the future. 

You should let them know how much of an asset you would be from day one and why they should consider hiring you early rather than later when a position does open up (this will show initiative).

Phone calls should only be used after sending out resumes/cover letters via email first because of the potential time delay between each medium (a phone call could mean weeks before hearing back).

Networking And Applying To Jobs That Are Not Advertised Is Also Important

If a position is not advertised, it could mean that someone already has it in the bag or that they don’t want their competitors to know they are hiring. 

However, if you do your research and find out who was responsible for hiring wildlife biologists at this company, you could reach out directly with your resume.

Use social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn® to network with people in your field. You can even join groups related to wildlife biology online for more connections!

Ask for referrals from friends and family members who work at companies where you want to work as a wildlife biologist. 

Referrals always go much further than cold calls or emails sent through job boards because they come with personal recommendations from people who know what kind of talent they have on their team (or could use some help!).

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Read Job Descriptions And Requirements Carefully

There is no better way to get started than by reading the job description carefully. It will tell you what you need to know about the position and what kind of skills are required for it.

If any keywords stand out, make sure they appear in your resume. This will help ensure that you’re applying for jobs that fit well with your qualifications and experience.

After reading through all of these details related to the job requirements, it’s time to take action! If everything checks out as true or mostly true – then apply! 

But if not all requirements seem possible at this point (for example: if some require a degree or certification which isn’t yet achieved), don’t let this discourage you from applying anyway this could still be helpful because:

• The employer may still want someone with similar credentials even though they’re not listed specifically in their posting;
• Sometimes just demonstrating interest through an inquiry helps more than anything else (especially when it comes down to “whoever wants us first”).

Prepare Your Cover Letter And Resume Tailored To Each Position

Step 1: Tailor your resume and cover letter to each position.

The most important part of landing a job as a wildlife biologist is making sure that your experience, skillset, and education match the requirements for the position. This requires tailoring your resume and cover letter to each position you’re applying for. 

This can be as simple as changing the name of the company you worked for if it’s not relevant to where you’re applying now (for example, if they make tools and you want to work in conservation biology). 

It also means highlighting skills that are relevant but don’t necessarily appear on your resume (for example, your ability to work with data or write grant proposals).

Step 2: Apply online when possible!

Write A Follow-Up Letter After An Interview

Follow-up letters are an important part of the interview process. They’re also a great way to make a good impression, even after your first meeting. If you’re looking for employment in conservation biology or wildlife biology, here’s how to write a follow-up letter after an interview.

Thank the interviewer for their time and attention, and let them know that you are interested in working with them or at their organization

List some of the things that were said during your conversation and relate them to how these will help you do your job effectively (if they didn’t mention anything specific, just say something general like “I think we have similar ideas about what I could bring to this position”)

Ask if there is anything else they would like you to know before deciding for hiring you (this shows initiative on your part)

Tell them that all other offers have been withdrawn so it is now up to them whether or not they want me as part of their team

Searching For A Job Is A Full-Time Job But With Dedication And Drive, You Will Find Your Dream Job

Landing your dream job is a full-time job. With dedication and drive, you will find it!

You have to be dedicated to keeping searching for that ideal job description because it takes time to find one. The days of applying for jobs online, submitting your resume, and waiting for an invitation are long gone. 

Nowadays, there are websites where you can apply directly without having to fill out lengthy application forms or send your resume via email. 

These sites allow employers from the whole world to search for candidates who best match their requirements. You don’t need an HR department anymore; now all you have to do is register on these websites and start searching!

Patience is also key when looking for a job as a wildlife biologist: finding the right company takes more than just filling out an online application form once every two weeks or so. It takes months (if not years) until you land that perfect position with all its perks – so stay positive!

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Conclusion

The job market is competitive and getting a job in wildlife biology can be very difficult. But with dedication, hard work, and passion, you will find your dream job.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic of landing a dream job as a wildlife biologist:

6 Tips for Landing a Job as a Wildlife Biologist: Discover valuable tips and insights from Imogene Cancellare on how to increase your chances of securing a job as a wildlife biologist.

10 Steps Towards Your Career in Wildlife Conservation: This article by It Is a Wildlife provides a step-by-step guide on the essential actions to take for building a successful career in wildlife conservation.

Advice for a Career in Wildlife Biology: Stephanie Schuttler offers advice and guidance based on her experiences as a wildlife biologist, providing valuable insights for aspiring professionals in the field.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about pursuing a career as a wildlife biologist:

What educational background is required to become a wildlife biologist?

To become a wildlife biologist, it is typically necessary to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as biology, zoology, ecology, or wildlife management.

What skills are important for a wildlife biologist?

Some important skills for a wildlife biologist include field research techniques, data analysis, habitat assessment, species identification, and strong communication skills.

What job opportunities are available for wildlife biologists?

Wildlife biologists can find employment in various sectors, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, consulting firms, and environmental education centers.

What is the average salary of a wildlife biologist?

The salary of a wildlife biologist can vary depending on factors such as experience, education, location, and job sector. On average, wildlife biologists earn a competitive salary range.

Are there opportunities for international work in wildlife biology?

Yes, there are opportunities for wildlife biologists to work internationally, especially in regions with diverse ecosystems and conservation needs. International organizations and research institutions often offer such opportunities.