so i was sitting at my miserable job today cruising the forums when i thought to myself " y not try to work at a large aquarium". i dont know if there is anyone out there doing this, and i dont mean like i sit there and show all the kids how u feed the pretty dolphin. im talking taking care of and oraganizing freshawater displays, water quality, and wahtnot. i briefly researched some aquarium science degrees and whatnot... anyone out there doing this or know anyone doing this or know anything about it?
public aquarium jobs??
- Thread starter its_an_obsession
- Start date
If you like paying bills on time, the aquarium world is not for you. 
Oregon Coast CC has a great Aquarium Science program. I'd start looking there first.
Watch AZA.org and AAZK.org for job postings.
Check this thread as well for info:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165007
Oregon Coast CC has a great Aquarium Science program. I'd start looking there first.
Watch AZA.org and AAZK.org for job postings.
Check this thread as well for info:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165007
I someday hope to work in this field or some type of field survey research involving fish. I'm currently pursuing a BS in biology and at the moment I'm taking a field ichthyology course. My dream is to one day open my own small scale public aquarium to educate people about aquatic ecosystems, of course whether anything like this happens is anybody's guess
Is there like an entry level job there that doesnt require a degree? If so what would the title be? Dont say janitor lol.
spexmoneymaker;2104314; said:
Not really, unless you get the one in a million slot by pure luck. Volunteering at a place is usually the best way to get in. You almost always have to start at the bottom. They want people who will work cheap, but still know what they are doing.
As time goes by, you never stop doing the 'baiscs' of care - the entry level work. Even a Curator of a top aquarium will be walking around in the mornings cleaning finger prints of the acrylic, taking out the trash etc... So don't think there is a great glorious end to this job. It's a very team oriented job and a LOT of hard work, odd hours and sleepless nights.
The problem with "entry level" jobs is that there are literally thousands of people out there who see this as a 'dream job'. They'll snag the most qualified person who will work the cheapest. So if you won't work for hardly any pay, you'll be passed over for someone who will (many people would do this for free). Lately, I've come to think that is why the industry is mostly younger people. Starting out in life, you can afford to live off of $8-$9because you know you are having fun at work. It's a trade many make. As people gain some experience, I'd bet 70% of keepers leave the field for something else, and keep fish as a hobby.
Not saying all keeper jobs are that way. There are a few very well paid facilities. The down side is people hardly ever leave them, so slots are hard to come by. The trick is to find a place that sees how important it is to have well seasoned staff, and not just bodies filling in the slots. Those also tend to be the higher quality places.
i suppose i could afford to live off $8-9 dollars an hour if i supplement that job with a couple hours of online poker a night. sounds like getting another degree might be alot of money only to find out i cant get the job i even want. so depressing. i guess it will be my 4'x5' cubicle for alittle longer.
zoodiver... any shot at getting anywhere by volunteering and moving up even without any aquarium science degrees? or is that alot tougher//not really possible?
zoodiver... any shot at getting anywhere by volunteering and moving up even without any aquarium science degrees? or is that alot tougher//not really possible?
Since public aquariums and zoos rely on donations and government funding, there are a lot of volunteers that make up a staff. Some of the really cool jobs even have a lengthy waiting list. I have a friend who has been on the diver waiting list for years now with no calls.
i know its not exactly the same thing and probably not even close to where you are but i live in northern ohio and am looking at a school in southern ohio called hocking college. this college specializes in the natural resources secter. i am lookint at a degree in aquaculture. the school has a good job placement program and im confident that in a few years i will be working to stock the great lakes with trout and walleye. i know its not the aquarium industry but if your anything like me and a complete fish nut just being around fish and learning about them its more than i could ever hope for. DNR is going to be around no matter what and if you enjoy fishing and the wildlife in your area maybe doing something like that could be fun and help you earn some money. Just my two cents 