Wildlife career? What do I do to make it become a reality?

Question

I'm very interested in various wildlife. I've been researching lions and wolves since I was a little kid, and I've come to realize I want to have a career with wildlife in the future. It would be a dream come true to own a wildlife rehabilitation facility. What steps do I have to take to do so?

Answer 1

If you want to work with wildlife in the wild..you might look into being a wildlife or field biologist and would go to college majoring in either biology, zoology, wildlife management, or other closely related subject.  If you want to be a wildlife rehabilitator..a degree is usually not necessary.  You would start by working for an already established rehabilitator.  Usually these are volunteer positions.  It could help you be able to learn enough to eventually start your own rehab..but once again, pay will be little if at all.  Some people do this sort of work in addition to a full time job since few people are able to make a living at it.  You can make a living working as a biologist if you have the proper degree and experience.  You might also consider zoo work as a zookeeper.

Answer 2

I'm going to college to be a wildlife biologist - you just need to find a good school with the right programs :)

Good luck!  

Answer 3

Go to College for a degree in the hard sciences- Biology, Chem, etc. Don't overspecialize- you'll need the broad background!

       Dabble your toes through research projects, volunteer positions, internships and job opportunities. The odds of you ending up in exactly the field you started out working towards is slim- people often find something even better to them once they learn about the field!

        Through a good work ethic, at least one or two published papers and networking, get into the gread program where you want to master the craft you choose-  and good luck! We need good scientists!

Answer 4

I would consider biology courses and also volunteering at a zoo near you and ask staff how they got into there jobs. go to your local college and ask for information, and if all else fails I'm afraid you may just have to keep dreaming

Answer 5

When I was at Cornell University, it was possible to major in Wildlife Conservation. I was in the same department but a Vertebrate Zoology major. More than half my credit hours could have been considered as Zoology courses, although relatively few were in the Zoology Dept. Cornell also has a Vet. School, which might be your second step after getting a bachelor's degree.