Should I go into Zoology?

Question

I have been wanting to go into the field of science for a while now. But I have wanted to be able to have hands on work with animals (caretaker, animal psychologist, etc.) . But I don't want to become a vet. I had thought that if I became a zoologist I would get that but my mom recently told me that a friend of hers said that if I wanted to work with animals then I shouldn't become a zoologist...she didn't know what it was that I WOULD want though... any suggestions?

Answer 1

You won't be sure until you start taking courses in the field. You may not be able to in H.S. but you can read on your own. You can also go to places like museums and talk to the curators. Call first to make an appointment. You might also check with the local office of the USF&WS or your state fish and game departments to find who you can talk to.

Once you are in college, you will take much the same courses as anyone else for the first year, so you could easily switch majors, if you wanted to. As you take more courses and become more acquainted with the literature, you can refine your interests and specialize in you favorite field.

Answer 2

I think that you should go and speak to someone at the college/university that your thinking of enrolling with and ask about what course(s) you'd need to take to work with animals hands on. Each country would require different qualifications so I can't say what specific course you'd need but just to say that zoology can lead to a hands on career with animals.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Maybe a wildlife biologist, park ranger, game warden, or zookeeper.  

Answer 4

My dad has a zoology degree but is now a dentist... It really depends how much you want to work with animals. David Attenborough has a degree in zoology so it worked well for him.