What sort of Jobs can I get with a Interest in Wildlife?

Question

What sort of Jobs can I get with a Interest in Wildlife?

Answer 1

Game Warden

Veterinarian on a Game Preserve

Answer 2

There are many, but without a college education with at least a Master's Degree you will be doing mostly grunt work.

I went back to college at age 45 to get a degree in Biology and was shocked when I asked the Dept Head what kind of job I could get with a Bachelors Degree.  He asked me if I liked to count fish!

Seriously, entry level with a Bachelors Degree will put you at the "Tech" level---in work as well as pay.  I ended up getting my degree in Environmental Education, and had jobs at a US Fish and Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge and a Wolf Sanctuary.  I made more money than our biology tech (Bachelor's Degree) and had much more personal contact with people as well as animals.  In that position I assisted the head Biologist and other employees around the Refuge as part of learning how the ecosystem (estuary)works---got to do a little of everything.  I needed to do this so I could educate the public!  Best of both worlds. Unfortunately there is not a high demand for EE right not because of the economy.

From experience, I suspect your question has more to do with "Where can I get a job working up close and personal with wildlife?"  (I apologize if it's not.)  This was a constant problem as I was also the volunteer coordinator.  Pretty much everyone who showed up and wanted to volunteer expected to be able to interact with the wildlife.  Unless you go into research or possibly work at  a zoo, most experts will tell you that the less direct interaction you have with the wildlife the better.  If your motives are to "interact" by trying to preserve habitat and spend long hours observing behavior from a blind (both very helpful for determining their health and habits) you might want to give it serious thought.  Even our head biologist only captured ducks to band them and check health to follow migration patterns.

I don't mean to discourage you.  If you are determined and willing to put in the time it can be very rewarding.  It just takes a long time to reach a level where you are doing more than collecting data, and a commitment to long hours and dealing with beauraucrats!

Some rehab centers do hire volunteers, but you didn't mention if you wanted to be paid, and these positions are usually unpaid and have long waiting lists!

Good luck, personally if I had it to do over again and the time needed I might go for it!

Answer 3

eco-friendly bayman/baywoman. I was eco-friendly bay harvester from 1983-08 retired now.Worked with and supported "Green Peace" 1977- present.

Answer 4

Animal activist. You don't even have to apply.

Answer 5

You can be a wildlife biologist - who studies natural populations and monitors, restores, creates, or manipulates habitats for those animals to use.

Answer 6

a rehabilitator..I'm volunteering at a center where we work with mainly aquatic birds but im sure there are centers where u can work with different animals

Answer 7

Wildlife biologist, zookeeper, wildlife rehabilitator, game warden, naturalist, etc.  You do not necessarily need a Masters degree to do these jobs..I have to disagree with Linda...I only have a Bachelors Degree and I don't do grunt work!  It depends on experience as well..I get paid the same as someone with a Masters degree due to all the experience I have.  Experience can count for a lot..sometimes more than a degree can..but you will need at LEAST a Bachelor of Science degree to get biologist work.  Rehabbing does not require a degree, and depending on the zoo you may or may not need a degree.