Belfast Zoo Work Experiance
- Thread starter Mr Saxon
- Start date
I'm surprised at how many jobs there are being advertised at the moment.Yeah, there's been more than I expected. Unfortunately I'm still learning to drive, so I can't realistically apply for many. Worst case scenario if I can't get any of the jobs is to continue with pet shop work and then put everything I've got into getting a position at this new zoo opening up in Bristol in the next few years.
taun
Well-Known Member
Don't hold on too long, as it may not happen!
moloch gibbon
Active Member
Re Belfast Zoo taking you on for work experience, I'm afraid they won't take anyone under the age of 17 no matter what you are studying\seeking to study; it's all down to child protection laws. As for work experience if you were 17 or over, you would need to apply months in advance and even then due to the sheer number of applicants from colleges and universities which have been sending students to Belfast Zoo for years, you would be lucky to get in. This said, if you don't try you'll never know; you'll need to go through the appropriate channels, which, to be honest are very strict and on a first-come-first-served basis. Good luck though!
For all you prospective zoo keepers out there, thought i'd clarify a few points with regards qualifications etc... The Advanced National Certificate in the Management of Zoo Animals is a distance learning qualifiction that is only delivered by Sparsholt College in Hampshire. To enrol on the course, you MUST be employed at a zoo or wildlife collection - most zoos will enrol their new keepers onto it once they have finished their probationary period. The BTEC National Diploma is generally a suitable qualification to get you a trainee position in many (but not all) zoos, particularly if you managed to get relevant work experience whilst you were on the course. In addition to the paper qualification, you obviously also need to be able to show them that you have boundless enthusiasm, don't mind working all hours regardless of weather, can put up with inane comments from the public, can wield a broom and shovel, chop veg like Gordon Ramsey and have no desire to ever earn much money!
A lot of collections are increasingly asking for higher level qualifications such as degrees or foundation degrees, even for trainee positions but the key is to keep trying. You might need to be a bit flexible in where you live (for my first zoo position I moved 180 miles away) but thats a small price to pay for doing what you love. Good luck to you both for the Marwell position.
A lot of collections are increasingly asking for higher level qualifications such as degrees or foundation degrees, even for trainee positions but the key is to keep trying. You might need to be a bit flexible in where you live (for my first zoo position I moved 180 miles away) but thats a small price to pay for doing what you love. Good luck to you both for the Marwell position.
That is good advice, I didn't know it was only available to those already working in a zoo though. Would be good to do it.
I'm thinking if I don't get a call tomorrow then I won't get an interview, probably put off by my holiday to Aus which I couldn't really not tell them about lol.
I'm thinking if I don't get a call tomorrow then I won't get an interview, probably put off by my holiday to Aus which I couldn't really not tell them about lol.
moloch gibbon
Active Member
Apologies, I've just been told the minimum age for work experience students at Belfast Zoo, is 18 and NOT 17 as I first said.
Hello, bumping this up again! I've been looking into the courses offered by the sixth-form I intend to go into, as I start A-Level education around this time next year. Whilst they offer Biology and Enviromental Studies, there aren't any real focused animal subjects. I've considered Sparsholt (which is just down the road from where I intend to go funnilly enough), but I'm still fixed on this sixth-form due to it's very high standard, wider choice range, and, on a personal note, quite a bit of my school friends are going there. Is it possible to do an animal management course at Sparsholt or another similar college after I've finished my A-Levels?
At Sparsholt you can do a BSc or foundation degree in animal management after a-levels.
Sparsholt College Hampshire - Animal Management
There'll be similar qualifications available all over the country depending on whether you want to move or not.
Sparsholt College Hampshire - Animal Management
There'll be similar qualifications available all over the country depending on whether you want to move or not.
Hey MD
I took my A-levels at a 6th form centre and have just gotten onto an Animal Management degree at a specialist college close to me.
Most degree course will accept a-levels (in relevant courses such as biology) or a qualification in an animal subject so you should be pretty secure whichever route you choose (depending on what grades you achieve)
I took the A-level route because it gives me something to fall back on if something doesn't work out as I intend it to, but I was really interested in doing a National Diploma in an animal subject.
Im thinking of taking the same option CZJimmy
Ive been told if i have the brains to take A-Levels i should then do the Animal Management Course as A-Levels can help qutie abit,Its another thing to put on the CV,And can help me choose a wider range of courses.
Its just the matter of gaining as much experiance as we can at the moment.
Ive been told if i have the brains to take A-Levels i should then do the Animal Management Course as A-Levels can help qutie abit,Its another thing to put on the CV,And can help me choose a wider range of courses.
Its just the matter of gaining as much experiance as we can at the moment.