For people who have an interest in animals and wildlife, a career in zoology is interesting and there are zoology career options but you need to fulfil specific educational qualifications to obtain employment in this scientific sector.
A bachelor’s degree is usually required for some zoology careers, while additional degrees are needed for others.
Take some time to research zoology and weigh your possibilities before deciding to finish a degree in the field. There are a few challenging mandatory courses, and you’ll probably need to focus on picking a specialty.
When your studies in zoology are over, you’ll also need to consider your alternatives for a profession. We go over the many zoology job opportunities and how to pursue them in this article.
Since zoology is a scientific discipline, a large portion of the curriculum covers topics about the science of animals and wildlife, such as their habitats, behaviors, dietary requirements, and levels of activity.
A zoology degree demands perseverance, commitment, and probably a passion for animals. Although attending veterinary school or working at a zoo may be the typical job path for zoology majors, those aren’t their only alternatives.
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What’s the Average Time to Become a Zoologist?
While there are many various career routes and specializations in zoology, each with its own schedule, zoologists often need to attain a high degree of education to secure their desired position.
A bachelor’s degree may be all that is needed for entry-level positions in zoology, but other degrees are necessary if you want to continue your education or conduct more specialized research.
The precise number of years varies according to the level of education you hope to attain. With a bachelor’s degree, you can land your ideal zoology employment and graduate in four years.
But, you might need a Ph.D. and spend up to ten years in school if you want to carry out specialized research. If becoming an advanced zoologist is your ultimate aim, you can anticipate going through these 4 distinct educational routes.
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Zoology Internships
- Master’s Degree
- Ph.D. Degree
1. Bachelor’s Degree
The first step towards a career in zoology is to get a four-year bachelor’s degree in the field or a related one.
You can think about an online zoology degree or a comparable program of study if you don’t want to pursue a zoology degree or if the colleges in your area don’t offer one. If you complete the required courses, you can major in biology and ecology, just like a zoologist would.
For your bachelor’s degree, you can think about taking classes in computer science, algebra, or statistics in addition to the fundamentals. These courses will assist you in using appropriate tools and data analysis for your species research.
2. Zoology Internships
Employers favor employing applicants with some real-world experience in the industry, as with any degree. When applying, having an internship during or after your bachelor’s degree will make you stand out from the competition.
An internship is the best way to obtain experience, but if one isn’t available, you can also try volunteering with animals, working a part-time job at a zoo or aquarium, or helping out with a research project at your college that involves zoology.
3. Master’s Degree
A master’s in zoology, which builds on your bachelor’s, gives you a significant advantage in the employment market.
You will probably carry out more in-depth research, complete a thesis project, and even begin your zoology specialization during your master’s program. A master’s degree in zoology will also enable you to become an educator.
4. Ph.D. Degree
If you have a strong interest in conducting research as a zoologist, you may need to continue your education until you have earned your Ph.D. Even though it’s not required for everyone, you should think about your career ambitions while deciding if a PhD is the correct path for you.
You can lead teams, carry out significant research, and direct various projects with this degree. Remember that getting a Ph.D. takes time, so after earning your bachelor’s degree, you should plan on spending a few more years in school.
At the end of it all, you’ll be at the top of your field! You’ll also need to present original research, defend your thesis, and ace your examinations!
Zoology Career Options
- Zoologist
- Animal Behaviorist
- Conservationist
- Zookeeper
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Nutritionist
- Museum Educator
- Marine Biologist
- Academic Researcher
- Wildlife Rehabilitator
- Park Ranger
- Animal Trainer
- Science Writer
- Zoology Professor
1. Zoologist
It should come as no surprise that the most popular career choice for many people with zoology degrees is becoming a zoologist. Zoologists investigate creatures in their natural habitats, whether they are captive or found in the wild.
The professional responsibilities of a zoologist may include conducting experiments in the lab, writing reports, and presenting their findings.
2. Animal Behaviorist
What makes animals tick is of interest to many students enrolled in zoology degree programs. Animal behaviorists investigate the habits, social relationships, environment, and health of animals, in addition to how and why they behave as they do.
The study of animal-human interaction, or anthropozoology, is a specialty for behaviorists. Applied animal behaviorists are researchers who focus on the interactions between owners and their pets.
3. Conservationist
Working with wildlife involves more than just learning about the thoughts and behaviors of the creatures; it also entails safeguarding the animals and their environments to guarantee that the populations survive into the future.
The goals of conservationists are environmental awareness-building and animal rescue. They assist in managing and defending wild animals and natural resources and they are frequently hired by government organizations.
4. Zookeeper
A lot of zoology majors would like to work at a zoo! Prospective employees in zoos and aquariums can be prepared for a variety of tasks and responsibilities by studying zoology.
Zookeepers, for instance, maintain clean environments, give medication, tend to a variety of animals, and carry out other duties necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.
For those who prefer working with people in addition to animals, zoos are fantastic locations to be. Learn about conservation initiatives, the creatures on display, and how each individual may contribute to environmental preservation from zoo educators.
5. Veterinary Medicine
One of the most popular pre-veterinary majors is zoology. Those who pursued a career in veterinary medicine might pursue their interests in biology and anatomy, which piqued their interest throughout their zoology degree courses.
Veterinarians treat animals as doctors, ensuring their well-being and security. Veterinarians can choose from almost as many different career options as medical professionals in general.
Despite differing degrees of training and specialization, all veterinarians, techs, assistants, and surgeons strive to maintain the health of both domestic and wild animals.
6. Animal Nutritionist
Animals require a nutritious diet to maintain their health and lead fulfilling lives, just like humans do. The nutritional requirements and food quality of different animals are studied by animal nutritionists.
They frequently collaborate with feed manufacturers to identify the optimal feeding schedules for pets, zoo animals, and other species.
7. Museum Educator
Having a degree in zoology does not always include working with animals. Raising public awareness of the value of animals and the natural world is largely dependent on public education.
People can learn about animals, their place in the environment, and the importance of conservation from educators working in museums and other public and private institutions.
8. Marine Biologist
Specializations are typical choices for those pursuing degrees in zoology, with marine biology and zoology being among the most popular choices.
Think about fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and everything in between as subjects of research for these scientists. From the coast to the deep sea, plants and the environment are of interest to marine biologists.
9. Academic Researcher
The study of zoology is based on data and investigation. To gain more knowledge about their chosen specialization, professional researchers spend their careers measuring, observing, experimenting, and doing meticulous research.
Gathering research and presenting it to the public and other academics makes up a large portion of the effort.
10. Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wild animals occasionally need human assistance to recover because they are ill, hurt, or abandoned. Employees with a gentle touch and experience working with wild animals are essential to animal rescues.
Wildlife rehabilitators do this job, using their understanding of behavior to give animals the right care so they can become independent. A fantastic job opportunity for zoology majors who enjoy hands-on work is nursing animals back to health.
11. Park Ranger
Maintaining national, state, and local parks is crucial for protecting species and maintaining the safety and accessibility of natural areas. Park rangers are in charge of keeping an eye on these areas. Additionally, they ensure that guests comprehend the importance of learning about and conserving wildlife by educating them.
12. Animal Trainer
For those with zoology degrees who wish to work with animals, there are many practical opportunities, such as training domestic animals and pets. Many animal trainers work with dogs and their owners, teaching them how to communicate with one another positively. Obedience training is a skill that is in demand.
Other trainers work with a wider range of animals; these include racehorses, service animals, and even props from films and television shows. Having a degree in zoology can help one acquire the understanding of animal behavior needed to train and care for these creatures.
13. Science Writer
Publications such as books, periodicals, websites, and others offer interesting and educational knowledge about animals and the natural environment. Content creators for these platforms have the chance to inform readers about the topics that are most important to them.
Scientists with credentials in zoology can conduct research, gather data, and educate a broad audience on topics related to animal studies, conservation, and other topics.
14. Zoology Professor
Students who like learning in zoology can continue their education and inspire the future generation with their expertise. Having a graduate degree is necessary to work as a professor.
In addition to conducting research and writing books and articles to share their knowledge, academics also instruct students. For present students who see a future in publishing their work, it’s an excellent choice.
Possibilities for a Zoology Degree
With a degree in zoology, the employment options are practically limitless. Students who complete this flexible curriculum will have special talents that they can use in a variety of career settings, including academic roles, fieldwork, and hands-on animal care. Any of these careers would suit those who enjoy working in a natural setting and learning about animals.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.