What kind of degree would be/is needed for working @ Aquarium/Zoo?

[Polypterus]

It seems like the payoff for those kinds of jobs is just to be around the animals, and not the money. That makes it more of a passion than a vocation.

Correct in some ways.....Those that chose this job should not expect much as far as money goes. The job it self is very demanding (physically and mentally) and quite stressful but has a certain thing about it where you get great satisfaction in even doing something as mundane as Manure pick up..

 

[Slim2634]

what degree do you need to do research on animals? i want to do zoology and work for the ohio dnr or a zoo. im taking business too

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

HA HA HA HA.....HA HA HA HA....HA HA HA HA....
Sorry dude not in this field...You can be the best and put in tons of effort and still get paid in peanuts....Nothing about Zookeeping makes you money.

Reminds me of teaching...lol

 

[Zoodiver]

If you have ONE slot open working at an aquarium, you'll have 500 or more applications for it. With that much demand, you can pay $7-$8 and hour and people will still fight over the slot. Even with a decade under your belt, finding a job is tough. And once you are in, stay in.
From what I have found, the people at the top want to be at the top making money, and have no love for the animals at all anymore. People who care about the animals seem to make it to about mid level. But even at that point you become a "manager" and deal with people and sit at a desk rather than work with animals. It's a trade off. Either work with animals or don't worry about where the money for your next meal comes from.

It also matters who you are working for. I've had what would be 'entry level' city jobs that paid a TON, and I've had Curator type roles that barely allowed me to pay rent.

Watch the AZA website in the job listing (www.aza.org/joblistings) section as well. It will give you a good idea of what you are looking for.

 

[Ang]

I need a little help here MFK, I know there are some of you who work in these industries and I'd like to know what type of degree you had to get to get your job? I currently have a lame office job (Been working since out of HS 8 years ago) and would love to go back to school to get an actual college degree to get a job I love.

In all honesty I'd do anything at a Zoo, Aquarium, Fishery, anything. I just love working with Animals, Fish, etc.

Sorry to not be more specific but I'm just beginning to think about this and haven't nailed any specifics yet. I wouldn't like to get to narrow of a degree as I don't want to limit my career options to much but I need a change.

zoology degree, biology degree. chemistry.... the more the better.

In fact, unless you want a job as an algae scraper or elephant poopoo pickerupper, you're going to want a heck of a lot of schooling.

And after THAT.. i have heard from people in the marine biology field that even with a ton of school, if you are not very seasoned in the field, you'll just be shoved in a closet somewhere until you do get a lot of experience behind you.

If you are serious and i mean REALLY serious and dont care that you'll be using all of your salary to pay off your student loans...

then go for it! If its a passion of yours.

 

[oddballer]

HA HA HA HA.....HA HA HA HA....HA HA HA HA....
Sorry dude not in this field...You can be the best and put in tons of effort and still get paid in peanuts....Nothing about Zookeeping makes you money. You can put your life on the line daily with extremely dangerous animals and still receive little to nothing for it..Your job is simple: feed, monitor and shovel...(At least to management)

Water_baby has given just about all the same advice and comments I would so I'll just refer you back to her...

You may want to ask this same question directly to some other keepers and get their take...

Try the AAZK forum http://www.aazk.org/

well again i say you have to be the best..... or atleast the head honcho...... alot of people say the same thing about tropical fish distributing...... theres alot of feeders...... but a couple preds sitting with very full bellies......

 

[Ang]

well again i say you have to be the best..... or atleast the head honcho...... alot of people say the same thing about tropical fish distributing...... theres alot of feeders...... but a couple preds sitting with very full bellies......

i aggree.
and
this could be said of almost every profession.

 

[neoprodigy]

well again i say you have to be the best..... or atleast the head honcho...... alot of people say the same thing about tropical fish distributing...... theres alot of feeders...... but a couple preds sitting with very full bellies......

yup.. there is always someone making the big bucks in any field...

 

[polish]

Thanks all, much appreciated. Especially those who are in the field and answered.

If anyone else thinks of anything please feel free to chime in.

 

[Zoodiver]

What aspects to you want to be part of?