Zoology is a subdivision of biology that deals with the animal kingdom. It studies all aspects of animals- habitat, structure, evolution, classification, etc. in great detail. The extinct species of animals are also included for study in this field. It covers a broad range of fauna, from large mammals to tiny insects.
This article will cover every career aspect related to a degree in zoology and help you take your pick on it. It will help you decide if you should go for a career in zoology or not. You must go through the following article to take note of the available jobs, required education and skills, pros, and cons related to this field.
Educational pathway
Before you decide to choose a field, it is important to know what kind of education you will have to pursue. For better career prospects in zoology, aspirants usually have to take up high levels of education. There are many options to specialize if you wish to take up specific research topics or advance in this field. The number of years required to make a successful career in zoology varies with different education levels. If your career choice demands only a bachelor’s degree in zoology, you can earn it within 4 years of college study. However, if you take up Ph.D. level study (needed for research-based jobs), it may take you as long as 10 years to complete your education.
For an advanced career in zoology, you need to pursue the following degrees:
Bachelor’s degree– You have to start by earning a bachelor’s degree in zoology or related courses such as-
- Bachelor of Sciences in Zoology
- Bachelor of Sciences (Hons) in Zoology
- Bachelor of Arts in Zoology
- Bachelor in Animal Sciences
- Bachelor in Animal Studies
- Bachelor of Sciences in Anthrozoology
- Bachelor of Sciences (Hons) in Animal Biology and Wildlife Conservation
You can major in ecology or biology as well but you will be required to take up all pre-requisite classes according to the job you want to pursue. This field also needs to analyze lots of data and utilizing different types of software during research on various species. Therefore, it is always suggested to take additional courses in math, statistics, or computer science along with a bachelor’s degree.
Internships
An internship during or right after your bachelor’s degree helps you gain experience. Also, such people have an edge over other candidates while applying for a job. It is because employers in the field of zoology usually look for candidates having relevant experience for the available job post.
Though an internship is the best way to ramp up your resume as well as gain some experience still if you do not find it possible for yourself, there are other options too. People either join a research team as an assistant whose research topics are zoology-related or go for work part-time at a zoo.
Master’s degree– People usually go for a master’s degree in zoology to increase their career prospects and income. It is needed for specialty courses, thesis projects, etc. Also, it avails teaching-related jobs in zoology.
Ph.D. degree– This degree takes you to the top of your field. People who are highly interested in research go for a Ph.D. Therefore, opting for it depends on your goals. It is not necessary for everyone but if you want to indulge yourself in major researches, this is the right option for you.
Employment areas
You need to have relevant details of the employment areas of this field. You would not want to end up working somewhere feeling like you do not belong there. There is a wide range of non-profit, public as well as private corporations that offer jobs in this field. The state and federal governments also provide ample opportunities to people pursuing majors in zoology. In this field, government jobs are mostly related to wildlife refuges, research foundations, or national parks. Common agencies where you can find jobs are-
- National Park Service
- Bureau of Land Management, Fish, and Wildlife Service
- Environmental Protection Agency
- National Health Service
Many people make a career in teaching through a zoology degree. You can become a biology or zoology teacher. Also, if you took math, statistics, etc. in additional courses, you can teach those subjects. You can apply for a job as a professor in universities, or publish your research papers too.
Companies that are specifically involved in veterinary medicine hire zoologists so that they can create efficient drugs of medical use for animals. Other career areas include museums (for public education, curating exhibits, etc.), libraries, petroleum companies, animal rehabilitation groups, animal nutrition companies, aquaculture companies, etc.
Essential skills
This is another significant aspect you need to pay attention to while choosing a career. You need to have a strong interest in science and a knack for applying it for problem-solving. You must be well-versed with the scientific rules and effectively conduct experiments and tests. You may be required to follow animal herds for monitoring their population trends. Or, take blood samples from wild animals to study and find out about their diseases. You should be well equipped with the knowledge of computer science.
You must have critical thinking ability. This is because you will have to make observation and inference reports of the tests you conducted. The quality of sound reasoning makes it a piece of cake for you. You will need lots of logical reasoning while finding solutions to wildlife-related problems like threats, habitat loss, increasing diseases, etc. It is needed so that you can rectify your ideas by analyzing possible disadvantages or weaknesses. They constantly use deductive and inductive reasoning skills before concluding. To collect information for your project may take you weeks or months working in the field. Zoology graduates work in all kinds of weather conditions in the area. Therefore, lots of physical stamina is important too.
Communication among team members is the key aspect to successful projects. Also, this field requires giving presentations to the management, colleagues, lawmakers, etc., and educate people on wildlife conservation. So, you will be expected to communicate effectively.
Top job opportunities
One of the most obvious job opportunities for zoology degree majors is that of a zoologist. Their main role is to study animals and make reports on their development and behavior. They do so by observing them either in their natural environment or by keeping them in captivity. Zoologists are also required to make presentations at conferences, issue their findings in academic publications, etc. Their average salary is estimated to be around $68,000 per annum with a growth of 7.7%. Other preferred jobs for zoology degree majors are as follows-
Park naturalists– They are also known as park rangers. Their main job is to help people gain knowledge about different ecosystems and appreciate the nature that surrounds them. They work at recreational sites and parks to explain to the visitors about the different animals, plants, and ecosystems present at that particular place. Also, they teach people how they can contribute to saving the environment and wildlife. Their average salary per annum is around $67,000 with a growth of 6.3%.
Aquarist– This job revolves around the animals of the aquatic ecosystem and will land you at a public aquarium or aquatic section of a zoo. An aquarist takes care of the aquatic animals that are present in a particular aquarium. They have to monitor and feed them along with the regular cleaning of their habitats. Some aquarists educate the visitors by providing them detailed insights into the animals being taken care of at the aquarium. The annual income of an aquarist is around $36,000.
Veterinary assistant– To become a veterinary assistant, you can pursue a pre-vet training specialization offered in various zoology programs. Although there is an option to study further after your graduation, you can go for an entry-level job as a veterinary assistant. It may help you gain experience in the field by working under a qualified veterinarian. The average wage is $24,000 per annum with a growth rate of 19.3%.
Veterinarian– A veterinarian takes care of the health of several animals as well as people. He or she diagnoses various animal diseases or injuries and cures them. Their primary goal is to protect animal health and relieve animal suffering. Veterinarians can also go for other services such as military, teaching, public health, research, etc. The average wages in this field are $104,000 with an 18.8% growth rate.
Zoo educator– This job requires excellent communication skills. A zoo educator teaches zoo visitors about the fascinating aspects of each animal being taken care of at the zoo. Sometimes, they are also asked to deliver educational presentations and other information about the conservation efforts, facilities for the zoo animals. Their average salary is about $29,000 per annum.
Is it a good career?
The field of zoology can prove to be an ideal career for you if research, conservation, and study of animals is your passion. This field has more options related to teaching, indagations, and animal care. Therefore, it depends on your interest. If you want to make your career in any of the mentioned streams, zoology is the perfect fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing zoology as a career?
There are always two sides to the same coin. Similarly, making a career in zoology will come with both pros as well as cons. The advantages of taking up zoology as a career can be listed as follows-
- For many aspirants, the main motivation behind taking up zoology is the opportunity to develop a better quality of life for animals. It is something very few career options have to offer.
- Traveling, experiencing different cultures and habitats is the most exciting aspect of this field. The projects you may work on often take you to the less-traveled parts of the world.
- There are plenty of specializations in the field of zoology.
- You can earn a decent amount of income that is usually above the average income in the United States.
The disadvantages of choosing zoology as a career are as follows-
- The working conditions can prove to be dangerous. They may encounter ferocious animals while conducting fieldwork.
- There may be budget cuts during tough economic times that also result in job loss.
- Other than lab-based jobs or the education sector, you will also have to work in the outside environment. Therefore, harsh weather conditions can affect your work.
- For best job opportunities, a very high level of education is needed.
What are the study topics dealt with in zoology?
There is a wide range of topics you will have to study. They will change according to the type of degree to choose to study and the specialization you opt for. Still, there are some common topics you can find in each kind of degree, be it bachelor’s, master’s, or a Ph.D. They are listed as follows-
- Genetics
- Animal anatomy
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
- Cellular biology
- Evolution
- Ecology
- Biodiversity
- Calculus
- Physiology
There will be additional subjects such as entomology, plant biology, oceanography, etc. according to the chosen degree.
Conclusion
Zoology can prove to be a great career choice for you if you are satisfied with most of the evaluation points (pay scale, skills, education path, employment areas). If a career choice is good or bad, that depends on the individual seeking to pursue it. If you find yourself dissatisfied even with a single evaluation criterion, it is better to rethink your decision.
