Chester Zoo have advertised for a new Curator of Mammals.
Zoo Jobs: CURATOR OF MAMMALS - CHESTER ZOO
Zoo Jobs: CURATOR OF MAMMALS - CHESTER ZOO
Chester Zoo Another new curator
- Thread starter bongorob
- Start date
You'd probably have to get in a long queue behind loads of people educated in the correct field...
That is to say, what would be the correct field? Business economics, biology or animal management?
Just curious, what specific education is usually hired for a position like this? Is it the business economist with a passion for biology or a biologist with feeling for management?
ex-tapirkeeper
Member
Neither... it is usually the person who knows the interviewer best or knows someone who knows the interviewer.
Occasionally the best person for the job is chosen.
ex-tapirkeeper
Member
How did you get your tapir keeping job then?hehe
Wouldn't just a hell of a lot of experience be the "qualification" for this job?
By knowing the interviewer
- I speak from experienceQuite often, prior to the applications, the person they want has already been approached and agreed to accept the post. They still go through the rigmarole of advertising the post and interviewing a number of candidates, including (or not)the 'chosen one'.
That may not be the format in this case but its a common one in many industries.
ex-tapirkeeper
Member
Indeed, hence why it's impossible for someone like me to get a job in a zoo
Have you volunteered at a zoo? That is how I and most of the keepers I know, broke-in.
Zoos are always keen to accept competent individuals to perform free labour. You get to build your experience and, just as important, your contacts.
ex-tapirkeeper
Member
Take it Bristol is your closest. Suggest contacting them and asking - they used to have quite a few volunteer keepers as I remember.
You'll just have to convince them that your competent and able.
You'll just have to convince them that your competent and able.
easytigger
Well-Known Member
Indeed, hence why it's impossible for someone like me to get a job in a zoo
How hard have you tried??
When I was 16 years old (I'm 33 now) I wrote to every zoo in the Federation (BIAZA these days) plus scores of other collections sent my CV off etc and got a foot in the door at the now closed Penscynor Wildlife park, moving over 200 miles from my faimly and friends to earn £27.50 a week on a training scheme that included the animal management course.
There are still plenty of zoo managers out there that prefer passion and dedication and the will to learn to letters after your name in a degree thats not relevent to the work you'll be doing.
Ok three posts to reply to...
No I haven't looked at the BIAZA guidelines, I will check that out though.
I did try Bristol but if I remember rightly I either didn't get a reply or got told they weren't taking on volunteer keepers.
And I've basically applied for every job I've see, had two interviews but no luck yet. I don't think I'll get a job until the new year as I'm going to Aus for 4 weeks. No employer would give a new employee that much time off lol. Could please direct me to these managers? lol, they all seem after huge qualifications these days
No I haven't looked at the BIAZA guidelines, I will check that out though.
I did try Bristol but if I remember rightly I either didn't get a reply or got told they weren't taking on volunteer keepers.
And I've basically applied for every job I've see, had two interviews but no luck yet. I don't think I'll get a job until the new year as I'm going to Aus for 4 weeks. No employer would give a new employee that much time off lol. Could please direct me to these managers? lol, they all seem after huge qualifications these days
The 'closed' type of interview I was referring to earlier applies for some higher positions. I did not mean to imply that all Zoo-keeping(or any other) vacancies are filled like that- I'm sure many of the lower/trainee type positions are by normal selection processes where you would stand a better chance to gain a post.