The field of zoology is a wide and exciting one, with opportunities for the budding zoologist to choose from. There are countless career paths to explore and many ways to apply your degree in zoology to different positions within the field.
However, before you can get started on landing your dream job as a zoologist, it’s important that you take some time up-front thinking about what type of position might be right for you.
In this article, we’ll explore all ten steps involved in becoming a zoologist, including earning your degree; choosing a specialty; completing further education;
Gaining experience through volunteering or internships; joining professional organizations and networking with other colleagues; continuing education throughout your career; and passing licensing exams so you can practice legally in certain states (or provinces).
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Pursue a career as a zoologist |
| Learn the necessary skills and education |
| Gain hands-on experience through internships |
| Network with professionals in the field |
| Stay updated on advancements in zoology |
| Explore specialization options within zoology |
| Consider advanced degrees for better job prospects |
| Seek opportunities in conservation and research |
| Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills |
| Emphasize communication and teamwork abilities |
Step 1: Earn A Bachelor’s Degree
If you’re looking to become a zoologist, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Zoology is a broad field that encompasses many different careers and settings.
This means that people working in this profession can find themselves studying animals in zoos or aquariums, working for private companies involved with animal testing or breeding, conducting research at colleges and universities, or working for government agencies like the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS).
Zoologists may also go on to earn advanced degrees such as master’s degrees or doctorates if they want more control over their work environment and responsibilities.
But employers do not typically require these higher-level credentials before hiring someone with bachelor’s level education experience
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Step 2: Choose A Specialty
Choosing a specialty is the next step in your Zoologist career. Your specialty will depend on your interests and skills, and there are many choices to make when it comes to choosing one for yourself.
Specialties include:
Wildlife management – this is the most common specialty for people who want to work as zoologists, but it can also be very demanding in terms of hours worked and responsibilities.
Wildlife conservation – is another common choice for those who wish to work as zoologists and requires working closely with individuals or organizations that promote animal welfare in different ways.
Wildlife biology – this area focuses on research concerning animals’ physiology and behaviors with an emphasis on their interactions within their natural environment (i.e., how they interact with other species).
Wildlife ecology – someone who chooses this type of specialization will focus primarily on studying animals’ interactions within various ecosystems (i.e., how they interact with other species).
They will also investigate how human activities impact these ecosystems over time by using methods such as field research experiments using controlled conditions).
Step 3: Complete A Master’s Program
So, you’re interested in zoology. If a bachelor’s degree is your first stop on your academic journey through the world of zoology, then a master’s degree is your next big milestone.
A master’s degree in zoology will allow you to study more advanced topics and build upon what you learned at the undergraduate level.
A master’s degree may be required for some jobs or internships that require advanced knowledge of animal behavior and physiology.
You’ll also have the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills by taking specialized courses such as conservation biology or animal behavior research methods.
In addition to helping with job applications and interviews, completing a master’s program can help land better jobs with higher salaries than those who only hold bachelor’s degrees (even if those jobs don’t require an advanced degree).
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Step 4: Gain Experience By Volunteering
Volunteering at a zoo or wildlife reserve is a great way for you to gain experience, meet people in the field and get your name on the map.
Depending on where you live, there are plenty of opportunities for volunteering at wildlife sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers. These facilities take care of injured animals until they can be released back into their natural habitat.
They may also host educational programs for schoolchildren or even help with research projects to further conservation efforts across the globe.
If you’re lucky enough to work in an area where there’s an active rescue team nearby, they’ll likely need volunteers during certain times throughout the year (think: summertime).
If not, consider asking around your local community center or library if they have any recommendations as well as following up locally on social media accounts run by organizations like World Wildlife Fund (WWF) the USA, and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
Step 5: Find A Mentor In The Field
Another way to make sure you’re on the right track is to find a mentor who can guide you. The best mentors are those who have been where you want to go and have done it successfully.
They should be someone with similar personality traits, work ethic, and values as yours. If they’ve made mistakes along the way and learned from them even better!
The most important thing about finding a mentor is that this person has experience doing what you want to do and can offer advice based on first-hand knowledge of what it takes.
This person doesn’t necessarily need to be in your field, but he or she should at least understand why zoology is an important career path for people interested in their favorite animals and nature conservation efforts (and tell them so if they don’t!).
Step 6: Consider Earning A Doctoral Degree
If you’re interested in becoming a zoologist, your best bet is to earn a doctoral degree. This can require anywhere from four to six years of post-baccalaureate work.
But the payoff is well worth it: as a doctoral student, you’ll be able to conduct original research and publish papers based on your findings.
Applying for jobs as a zoologist often requires experience in related fields (like biology), so earning an advanced degree will give you an advantage over other candidates who don’t have this experience under their belts yet.
As soon as possible after completing your master’s program, start networking with people who are already employed by zoos or wildlife organizations — this will help you make important connections that will help open doors later on down the road!
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Step 7: Join A Professional Organization
Many zoos and aquariums have their professional organizations, which are great places to start networking with other zoologists and industry professionals.
There are also many independent zoological organizations dedicated to helping you find your dream job as a zoologist.
Look into whether or not your school has a career center or department where that can help guide you in finding a job after graduation.
If they don’t offer those kinds of services, reach out directly to programs like the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and American Zoo & Aquarium Association (AZA), which both host annual conferences that bring together zoologists from around the globe.
These conferences provide an excellent opportunity for networking with potential employers as well as finding valuable information about what it takes to land your dream job as a zoologist!
Step 8: Network With Other Zoologists
Networking is a great way to meet people in the field and get advice on how to advance your career.
Attend conferences, volunteer at local zoos, or talk to people in the field at conferences. You can also join Facebook groups related to zoology and attend meetups in your area.
Researching companies you want to work for can help you learn more about their culture and specialties, which may give you ideas on how you can position yourself as a good fit for them.
Interviewers are likely familiar with these companies’ reputations, so if one of them is interested in hiring someone like a zoologist from your school, this could be another way that networking helps!
When applying for jobs or internships (or even just getting recommendations), be sure not only to have references but also to ask questions about what they think makes me unique as an applicant so far as my academic record goes?”
Step 9: Continue Education And Training Throughout Your Career
To stay competitive in the job market, you should continue learning throughout your career. Your goal is to keep up with discoveries and technologies in the field of zoology.
To do this, you can take classes at local colleges or sign up for online courses through educational websites like Coursera or Udemy (which offer some great discounts on their monthly membership plans).
You should also attend professional conferences where zoologists gather yearly to share their findings and network with other professionals from around the world.
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Step 10: Pass The Necessary Licensing Exams To Work In The Field
Once you’ve passed the necessary exams, your career as a zoologist will officially begin.
However, this is not the end of your education and training. Zoologists are required to continue their education throughout their careers by attending conferences, taking courses and seminars, and researching new topics.
They also need to renew their licenses every few years through continuing education credits earned at workshops or conferences and these requirements are in place for all professions (not just animal sciences).
As long as you keep learning and growing with each new experience, you’ll be able to make an impactful contribution toward solving some of society’s biggest problems.
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Conclusion
If you’re passionate about animals and want to work with them, becoming a zoologist is an excellent career choice. With the right training, you can pursue your dream job in research or conservation at an organization that shares your values.
But it’s important to remember that even though the field is growing, there are still many factors outside of your control when seeking employment.
That’s why I recommend learning as much as possible about how this industry works before pursuing it as a career path so that when obstacles arise (as they always do), there won’t be any surprises.
Further reading
10 Steps Towards Your Career in Wildlife Conservation: Explore this comprehensive guide that provides 10 essential steps to kickstart your career in wildlife conservation.
How to Become a Zoologist: Learn about the educational requirements, skills, and career opportunities in the field of zoology through this informative article.
How to Become a Zoologist – Career Advice from Indeed: Get valuable career advice and insights on how to become a zoologist from this resourceful article by Indeed.
And here’s the markdown language for the “FAQs” section:
FAQs
How long does it take to become a zoologist?
The duration to become a zoologist can vary depending on the educational path you choose. Generally, it takes about four years to complete a bachelor’s degree in zoology or a related field.
What are the job responsibilities of a zoologist?
Zoologists study animals and their behavior, habitat, and interactions with the environment. They conduct research, collect data, and may work in fields such as conservation, wildlife management, or academia.
What skills are required to become a successful zoologist?
To excel as a zoologist, you should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, an inquisitive nature, attention to detail, good communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Are there any specialized areas within zoology?
Yes, zoology offers various specialized areas, such as wildlife conservation, marine biology, animal behavior, genetics, ecology, and evolutionary biology. You can choose to focus on a specific area based on your interests and career goals.
What are the job prospects for zoologists?
Job prospects for zoologists are generally favorable, especially for those with advanced degrees. Employment opportunities can be found in government agencies, research institutions, zoos, conservation organizations, and educational institutions.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
