What Can You Do With A College Degree Working With Animals?

Farm managers oversee operations at farms and other environments that process and produce livestock, dairy products, and crops. Also known as agricultural managers and ranchers, these professionals often supervise every aspect of the crop or livestock production process, such as planting, fertilizing, and harvesting. They also make major organizational decisions for farms relating to factors such as weather, soil conditions, disease, and market conditions.

Farm managers require at least a high school diploma, and colleges generally offer associate and bachelor's programs in the field.

Marine biologists study marine life, including all types of animals that live in the ocean and other aquatic environments. They may specialize in a certain type of animal or environment and often work at colleges and universities, research institutions, and aquariums.

Marine biologists typically need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the field. Advanced positions involving in-depth research require at least a master's degree. Positions with universities and other major research institutions typically require a doctorate.

Veterinarians care for domesticated animals, including pets and livestock. They may research, diagnose, and treat various types of medical conditions in animals and advise owners about proper care. Veterinarians often work at animal clinics and hospitals, though they may also work at farms, zoos, and laboratories.

Veterinarians must hold a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree. Requiring applicants to hold at least a bachelor's degree, DVM programs build advanced skills and knowledge in animal anatomy, diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention.

Zoologists and wildlife biologists study different types of animals and examine animal behavior, relationships to the ecosystem, and the influence of human activity on natural habitats. They may work at colleges, conservation agencies, research institutions, zoos, and other environments related to animals. These professionals work in the field observing animals in their natural habitats.

Zoology and wildlife biology careers require at least a bachelor's degree. Research-based positions typically require a master's degree or doctorate.

Somerville:
Animal keepers' training can come in various forms. Modern keepers are expected to hold a college degree — at least an associate degree but often a bachelor's and sometimes graduate degrees. There are some college programs that focus specifically on animal husbandry and care in a zoo or aquarium setting.

But the most important training comes from working with animals directly through volunteering and internships, along with entry-level positions in other animal care facilities. At the Buffalo Zoo, novice keepers may start in an apprentice position working with an experienced keeper for a period of time to gain more skills before working independently.

Rice:
Some college education (at least an associate degree) is almost always a requirement for a full-time zookeeping position, and most zookeepers hold at least a bachelor's degree in some sort of science, whether it's animal sciences, biology, zoology, etc. I personally hold a BS in biology and a minor in psychology (which has been incredibly useful in terms of training… remember Pavlov's salivating dog? Operant conditioning is the most common form of training utilized in the animal world, so knowledge of psychology has actually been really applicable to my career as a zookeeper!).

Somerville:
Take every opportunity to work around animals. Pursue a degree in an animal-related field. Volunteer or intern while you're in school. Be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up. You may need to be flexible and move around the country as positions come available. Be open to every option — work with new species in different settings to diversify your experience.

Rice:
Start working with animals early on! Make sure that this is something you really want before committing to it. Keep in mind the less attractive aspects of the field: cleaning up after messy animals (urine, feces, vomit, etc.), working on weekends, working on holidays, irregular schedules and working nights sometimes, lots of hard manual labor, etc. Most keepers feel the job is most definitely worth all of the less appealing elements of it, but some people find out it's just not for them. The field is highly competitive so don't get discouraged early on, and if you're willing to travel around the country, your chances of landing that first paid position increase dramatically!

Also, visitor engagement and public experience are SUCH important parts of what zookeepers do. Our job is to help the public make a connection with our animals, and you can't do that if you have a fear of public speaking, dislike kids/people, etc. Get in touch with your inner thespian and start getting comfortable with that element of the job early on so that it is not an obstacle for you later.