zoo jobs

[am0sm93]

i just read some of the The sort of experience that helps to land a job working with snakes thread and it got me thinking about how to go about getting a job at a zoo would you need to go on courses or would you be taught by keepers at the zoo? etc

[andy2086]

I looked into working in a zoo straight from school & I was told that a zoology course was needed.
Not all unis & colleges do the courses & the places in zoos are few & far between & VERY sought after.
Go for it if it's what you really want & good luck!

[Kat91]

My friend wants to work in a zoo when older, she's currently taking biology at college and will take a zoology course in uni.

[am0sm93]

Originally Posted by andy2086

I looked into working in a zoo straight from school & I was told that a zoology course was needed.
Not all unis & colleges do the courses & the places in zoos are few & far between & VERY sought after.
Go for it if it's what you really want & good luck!

thanks for your reply, im not really wanting to get a job at a zoo myself but that other thread just got me thinking about how people get jobs at zoos, but what about people that have a very high amount of knowledge about animal husbandry would they still have to go to college when they already know so much about animals?

[shaun348]

that thread has all info you need, most zoos will look at your experience more than what courses you have done. if you have hands on experience that will look good. dont need zoology courses at uni or animal biology, i done first diploma animal care and nation diploma animal management at college 3yrs all together with hands on experience and i am able work in a zoo although there no jobs going atm

[Kat91]

Originally Posted by shaun348

that thread has all info you need, most zoos will look at your experience more than what courses you have done. if you have hands on experience that will look good. dont need zoology courses at uni or animal biology, i done first diploma animal care and nation diploma animal management at college 3yrs all together with hands on experience and i am able work in a zoo although there no jobs going atm

Should tell my friend all this

[shaun348]

Originally Posted by Kat91

Should tell my friend all this

lol all the courses on cv looks good if you have hands on experience as well but zoos will choose people with hands on experience over people wiith all these degrees with no hands on experience

[am0sm93]

Originally Posted by shaun348

that thread has all info you need, most zoos will look at your experience more than what courses you have done. if you have hands on experience that will look good. dont need zoology courses at uni or animal biology, i done first diploma animal care and nation diploma animal management at college 3yrs all together with hands on experience and i am able work in a zoo although there no jobs going atm

so you may be able to get a job at a zoo without taking any zooligy courses at a college as long as you have a good knowledge of animal care etc maybe having a private collection will help??

[shaun348]

Originally Posted by am0sm93

so you may be able to get a job at a zoo without taking any zooligy courses at a college as long as you have a good knowledge of animal care etc maybe having a private collection will help??

depends what exactly looking to do in a zoo... me i have experience with repltiles working with them and keeping them, zoos have my cv they just not looking for people atm.. most will say you need a minimum of national diploma 2yr college course and will look for people that have hands on with animals. i looked into doing work exp in a zoo couple years ago need do certain amount work experice in the course, some zoos will give 2weeks training

[andy2086]

Originally Posted by am0sm93

thanks for your reply, im not really wanting to get a job at a zoo myself but that other thread just got me thinking about how people get jobs at zoos, but what about people that have a very high amount of knowledge about animal husbandry would they still have to go to college when they already know so much about animals?

I think it'd depend on the people in charge.
Unfortunately education & qualifications are what most places seem to rely on these days. If that wasn't the case I'd be working in a zoo too!