How to Have a Career Working with Wildlife

Some wildlife professionals work in national parks.

Many people would love to have a career working with wildlife, which makes wildlife biology a competitive field. To succeed, you'll need a strong academic background and volunteer or work experience. Most wildlife biologists work for state or federal agencies, but some opportunities exist in private industry. Jobs for wildlife biologists vary greatly. While preparing yourself for your career, think about which areas of study and work appeal to you the most, so that you can narrow down your options to a manageable level and start to develop a specialty.

Instructions

1. Work hard at your middle school and high school math and science classes to provide a good foundation for your college studies.

2. Study on your own, outside of school. Read books about wildlife-related topics that interest you. Take classes, if available, at a local science museum or zoo. Volunteer at a museum or zoo. Pursue hobbies that draw on your interest in wildlife, such as nature photography or bird watching.

3. Talk to a school counselor or a wildlife professional about your career plans. Ask them about the variety of careers available that involve working with wildlife. If you can talk to people already working with wildlife, ask them how they got into their careers.

4. Attend college and major in a biological science, such as biology, zoology or ecology. Start at a two-year college and transfer to a four-year college, or begin your studies at a four-year college.

5. Volunteer in a wildlife-related job to get experience and to further refine your interests. Good places to volunteer include parks, zoos, aquariums, nature preserves and animal shelters.

6. Attend graduate school if you are interested primarily in research or if you want access to the largest number of jobs. Many jobs in wildlife biology now require a master's degree or Ph.D. in a biological science, or a doctor of veterinary science degree.

Tips & Warnings

• Some jobs, such as zookeeper and wildlife technician, may require less education.

References

• Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Preparing for a Wildlife Career
• Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries: Careers in Fish & Wildlife Conservation
• U.S. Geological Survey: Wildlife Biologists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment Statistics -- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists; May 2010

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Career Possibilities