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

[polish]

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.

 

[ewurm]

You'll need a biology degree. I hope you don't like money. There are many people that want to work with animals, and not very many spots.

 

[oddballer]

You'll need a biology degree. I hope you don't like money. There are many people that want to work with animals, and not very many spots.

 

[polish]

I don't make much now so it wouldn't be anything new, I've been told it can be hard to land a job which is why I will take what I can get. If I have to start at the bottom and shovel **** or vacuum tanks all day I would, no biggie to me.

I had a feeling it would be Biology, is that pretty much what a Zoo or Aquarium or the like would be looking for on a resume then?

 

[water_baby83]

I will take what I can get. If I have to start at the bottom and shovel **** or vacuum tanks all day I would, no biggie to me.

LOL Honey that's not starting at the bottom - that's an everyday part of the job. lol.
You need to decide what exactly you want to pursue as there are soooooo many different positions within those fields, that unless you have a grip on a specific small range of things you would like to do, you can waste a lot of time with unnecessary courses.
Mainly, you want to stick with Biology courses.
Also, more important than a degree in this field is experience. Studying books is a lot different than working with the animals in real life, and dealing with the daily chores and glamor-less aspects.
Employers want keepers/aquarists who know what they are doing and have had the field experience to prepare them for a variety of situations which could occur.
I would suggest you look into the zoos or aquariums in your area and try to start volunteering there to get your foot in the door and start gaining some valuable skills.
A lot of people love the IDEA of working with animals in this type of setting, but the majority of them quickly lose that love once they are faced with the REALITY of it. Don't get me wrong, I personally love what I do, but once you start volunteering, you can see what its really like and that will allow you to gage how serious you are and where you want to take your studies and future career.

 

[polish]

You know I was just looking at the local Zoos website today and they have "Adult" volunteer positions available but most seemed to be for things like "The gift shop" and quite frankly that isn't that helpful, lol. I am still going to give them a ring and see what is available that might be a little more geared towards Animals and less towards people pleasing, which I am so done with at this point. Thanks much for the insight though, it is much appreciated. I will admit I am pretty green to the whole thing and I do understand it's not likely as glamorous as some may think but thats all good with me. I would assume to get a degree in Biology one will have to take at least a few courses which aren't exactly helpful but will likely be needed to graduate. Not that it helps much but I've kept fish since I was a child. I doubt that counts on a resume though.

 

[oddballer]

i truly believe there money in every field..... if your the best! so how much effort are you willing to dedicate?

 

[polish]

Quite a bit actually, we'll see how life rewards my efforts once I get started.

 

[Polypterus]

i truly believe there money in every field..... if your the best! so how much effort are you willing to dedicate?

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/

 

[carcrazy]

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.