What do I major in if i want to be a Killer Whale trainer at SeaWorld.?

Question

I am 15 years old and i was wondering if anyone knew what colleges or majors will look good on an application for killer whale trainer at seaworld. Thanks!

Answer 1

You would want to get a college major in Marine Biology which is is the scientific study of living organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water.

Answer 2

Marine Biology. Good for you that you already know what you'd like as a career. But FYI Sea World is a very competitive job, you'll probably end up interning, when you're in college, at an aqurium, which is good. A lot of schools in California and Florida offer great programs in marine biology.

Answer 3

Marine Biology, and you would specialize in Whales i guess, or maybe just killer whales. And the best University in my opinion for marine biology is Florida State University.

Answer 4

http://www.dolphintrainer.com/career_gui...

Is a marine mammal trainer the same thing as a marine biologist?

We often hear people say, "I want to be a marine biologist and train dolphins". While it is true that some marine biologists do train dolphins and many trainers have degrees in biology, the two job descriptions are really quite different. Many folks mistakenly lump marine mammal trainers, marine biologists and oceanographers into one homogenous group. Oceanographers primarily study the physical nature of the world’s oceans, for example, their chemical, geological, and atmospheric aspects. A marine biologist is generally someone who studies life in the seas and oceans. They may specialize in such areas as anatomy, physiology, behavior or ecology. The subjects of their investigations may range from microscopic single celled organisms to 150 ton blue whales. Proportionately very few of these scientists work hands on with or train living marine mammal species. A good marine mammal trainer may study and utilize knowledge from all of these fields (and more), but each of these careers are really part of their own specialized discipline.

http://www.theswig.com/FAQ.htm

(The Sea World Information Guide Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I become a trainer?

Obviously, you're going to need to be enrolled in a science program, either Marine Science or Marine Biology. Marine Science, while a fair amount of work to get through, will not adequately prepare you for a career working with animals. Most Marine Science majors end up on oceanographic missions such as charting marine weather patterns, currents, tides, etc. Marine Biology would be best for those wishing to work as a trainer or with animals in general. In addition to learning about the marine environment and its inhabitants, expect to take a lot of math classes, as well as Physics and Chemistry.

The requirements to be a Sea World trainer include a friendly, outgoing personality, the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, SCUBA certification, and STRONG swimming skills.

http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/ZooCar...

5. Training

Animal trainers have one of the most visible jobs within a zoological park--the one most people ask about, and one of the most difficult to get. There are a very limited number of openings in this field. Background experience helpful for a position in this department would include courses or knowledge in zoology, behavioral and experimental psychology, animal behavior, public speaking, communications, education, and theater.

Good health and strong athletic fitness are mandatory. Expect to undergo a rigorous swim test when applying for an animal training position at an aquatic park. In addition, the ability to communicate with the public in a positive manner and plenty of patience are required of anyone who would like to become a trainer. Because they announce and narrate at the shows in which the animals perform, confident public speaking skills are essential for animal trainers.

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c. Animal Trainer

Minimum education: Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred in psychology, biological sciences, or drama; in some cases, scuba certification

http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/bec...

I Want to Train Dolphins and Whales

Here's my advice. Love dolphins and whales. Admire their beauty and their grace as they swim and move through their scores of exciting behavioral maneuvers. Worry about the whales, for many of them are in danger. Support organizations that try to conserve whales.

Okay. Now please keep in mind that there are VERY FEW people in the world who study whales or other marine mammals! Same thing for dolphin trainers. Yes there are many public aquaria in the United States, but the number of people that work with dolphins as trainers are also very few. Most emails I get start with "I have always wanted to be a dolphin trainer." Fine, but you better keep your options open, just the way aspiring rock stars usually have a "day job." If every person who wanted to study dolphins went on to do so, then just about every dolphin would have its own personal observer! You are in a vast company because everyone loves dolphins. The important point is: MARINE BIOLOGY IS A LOT MORE THAN DOLPHINS. There are many important areas that you can study. Dolphins are an important part, but only a part, of the universe of marine biology. (Same goes for you shark fans.)

If you truly wanted to do research on marine mammals you could enter this field through one of two routes. First, you could become a biology major in college, taking courses in vertebrate biology, physiology and evolution. Most marine mammalogists were biology majors in college. As an alternative, you could become a veterinarian, with the ultimate hope of understanding mammalian anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, and understanding the biology of mammals and their ailments. This would be a very rare route, although an interesting one.

http://www.vanaqua.org/education/aquafac...

AquaFacts: Career as a Marine Mammal Trainer

To become a marine mammal trainer, you should take as many of the science courses as possible in high school and in the first year of university. The basic requirement to be a trainer at the Vancouver Aquarium is a Bachelor of Science degree – which will take a minimum of four years to obtain. However, the most important way to prepare for this career is to have practical animal experience. Previous experience working with animals could be at veterinary clinics, pet stores, farms, or in aquariums or zoos. Successful candidates, in addition to having some previous history interacting with animals, will have good public speaking abilities and people skills. The ability to think clearly, quickly and with common sense are helpful traits. You should also be a certified diver and possess a valid driver’s license.

A good way to start pursuing a career as a trainer is to volunteer. Any volunteer work with animals can help you to become a marine mammal trainer. Volunteering at the Aquarium can allow you to gain valuable knowledge in the daily routine of a trainer.

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What is the level of education and/or training required to be a marine mammal trainer?

Generally, most people require a Bachelor of Science degree. This degree could be in something like zoology, biology, psychology, or marine biology. Some trainers may instead have an Animal Health Technician degree from a technical school. Also, scuba certification and experience is a mandatory part of the job.

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...

FAQ 16

Will the EATM program give me an advantage over any other schools or programs?

.....Many of our students want to train marine mammals - we send graduates all over the world to do this. Especially to the Caribbean - a new Dolphin Program hired 4 graduates in the summer of 2001, and more in 2002, 2003 & 2004.

The May 2003 graduates currently have many wonderful jobs. One is working in Shamu Stadium at Sea World in San Diego, training the Killer Whales! (His photo is to the right) .......Others are with various Marine Mammal facilities in the U.S. and abroad. Graduates from the class of 2004 are working training Guide Dogs in California, with marine mammals at Sea World Orlando, Sea Life Marine Park in Hawaii, Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California - and many other facilities. Graduates from the class of 2008 have jobs at - Sea World San Diego, the U.S. Navy training sea lions, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, Universal Studios Hollywood - and many other places. EATM graduates get jobs everywhere.

Answer 5

i would think marine biology to understand marine animals and university of miami rosential school has a great marine biology program.  also they are right on the sea.  i had to do a project on this school.

Answer 6

If you do not posses the innate natural ability to train whales, no college in the world can be of any help.

Answer 7

Marine Biology would be a good start.  Animal Behavior is also a good idea.  Look for schools along coastlines with Marine programs.  As far as training goes there is a Junior College in Southern California that offers an AA that many facilities hires from.  It is called Moorpark Community College, and you would be looking at the Teaching Zoo.

http://www.moorpark.cc.ca.us/