How do I start my career with wildlife?

Question

I want a career in the animal care/conservation field but I don't know where to start. Most of the jobs available for people of my experience have nothing to do with animals. I am already volunteering at my local nature reserve, attending talks and guided walks on wildlife, and studying a course in animal behaviour. What's a good first job for getting my foot in the door in the wildlife field?

Answer 1

The federal government has seasonal jobs that usually start in May and end in Oct-Nov all over the country.  They pay relatively well and you can get some good experience in the wildlife field.  It all depends on what you want to do, work with large mammals, or endangered species, etc.....that dictates where you should apply.  That is where I would start with the Fish and Wildlife Service or the Forest Service or BLM.  Try www.usajobs.gov and search under wildlife technician.

Answer 2

Interesting question, I actually just graduated from Michigan State University with a fisheries and wildlife degree and so far it has been very frustrating finding work.  There are usually way more oppurtunities to find internships and vounteer work between April and September if you live in a temperate climate.  I have found volunteer work through the DNR helping out with deer check stations on opening weekend of deer hunting season.  Also in Michigan there is an organization called MNRI (Michigan Natural Resources Inventory) that is always looking for volunteers to help with surveying local plant and animal populations and you don't need much experience.  I don't know what state you are in but I would imagine many other states would have similar organizations.  

Just don't limit yourself to one area, there are a variety of specializations in this career.  Field experience is crucial to get anywhere, however, so start out volunteering and then work up to paid postions when you have more experience.  Email me if you have more questions, I would love to answer if I can.  Good luck in your future and I hope you find something.....geez I hope I find something!

Answer 3

Be a park ranger.  Learn Soil conservation and plants.  All wild animals need trees and plants.  Without certain trees you would not have any owls or squirrels.  Wild salmons needs to swim in streams around dams.  The fish hawk needs fish and the bears needs grubs, berries and honey.

Working as a veterinarian assistant might be another way to learn domesticated  animals first.

Answer 4

Phone up your local agricultural college.

Answer 5

Try working at your local animal shelter. Also try your city's parks and recreation department. A lot of times they have positions available and internships.

Answer 6

There are a lot of place to work, however let me caution you of one thing.  I went to school for many years (I have an Associates in Wildlife Management, a B.S. in Fish and Wildlife Management, and my M.S. in Wildlife Management) and if you want to play with animals, wildlife management as a degree and job is not for you.  Wildlife management is about the managing of land for wildlife and managing the human factor for wildlife.  This is something they constantly beat into our heads at school.  That being said, the best thing you can do to start getting a foot in the door and future prospects for a job is volunteering.  I racked up over 1,000 hours volunteering at various places doing different things.  Volunteer work looks good on a resume and can give you valuable experience.  The other thing is getting experience, most places want you to have prior experience, so keep volunteering.  Also I recommend that you keep in touch with people you meet and volunteer with, many jobs I've had and applied for have not been advertised publicly, it's all word of mouth.  Finding a job in this career field is hard, but not impossible.  Study hard in school, work hard, volunteer whenever possible, and you will get a job eventually, just don't give up and quit trying if you get rejected for several jobs.  I got 32 straight rejection letters before I got one letter for an interview and now I work at that place.  Good luck!

Answer 7

Try to volunteer in other areas or in the field of your expertise. Look for conservation activities like trainings, seminars or workshops this is the way to link to others who may need your service. Good Luck

Answer 8

I am kinda wondering the same thing for my area, i live in upstate ny, and i interned with the DEC, and they said i have to go to college for at least 2 years to get in there.

Answer 9

You could try the rspb, they often have jobs or have you thought of becoming a ranger, with wild life careers you may have to move to the areas where they need the help. if you type conservation jobs in theres a list of vacancies You may need to consider a specific conservation job abroad such as working in the rainforests etc to get your foot in, in the uk there are lots of wildlife protection hospitals such as tiggywinkles in Aylesbury which cares for injured hedgehogs ,badgers etc, you could contact these, but it sounds like you have the enthusisum, so good for you and really hope you get a job that helps make a difference.