Careers in Zoos/Wildlife Parks etc.

[Javan Rhino]

I was just wondering on the different careers available in the zoological field and what it takes to get into them.
I would love to be an animal keeper, however I cannot afford to fork out for the related collage courses and then live for 2-3 years (maybe more) with no income.
I was wondering if there are any behind the scenes jobs (offices etc) that I could get into with just a basic education (I have 10 A-C GCSEs and 2 A-E A-Levels in Eng. Lit and Media).
Can anybody help me think of what I can do in a zoo? Also, is it possible to become a 'trainee/apprentice' keeper with these grades?

 

[Rookeyper]

There a a whole range of jobs available in zoos. I'm not familiar with school levels, grades other than in the United States so I'll just speak generally for the zoo where I work. Our zoo starts teen volunteers at age 13. They generally work for two weeks in the summer at a variety of jobs:helping with zoo camp, manning game tables, helping with special events, and eventually helping the keepers. We also accept interns--both high school and college level. Keepers don't always have a college degree here though many do. Other jobs in a zoo--public relations, graphics, maintenance, food service, gardeners, ride operators, zoo curator, zoo director, veterinarian, curator, clerical worker, finance officer--the list seems endless. Our employees have come through the ranks in a variety of ways. I started as a volunteer, worked in the gift shop, sold tickets at the front entrance, and am now a supervisor. If you find any position in a zoo, be it volunteer or paid, just do you best work, learn all you can, go the extra mile, and hang on for the ride!

 

[FriendOfTheZoo]

My sister worked at Australia Zoo in Front of House Cashier, then Group Bookings, Guest Relations, and then Reception (answering phone calls & e-mails from the general public, and forwarding those to others the girls in the office couldn't answer).

I worked there as a Volunteer ZooKeeper, but was also paid to work as a Vet Nurse elsewhere. I left when I wasn't learning anything new (just the same old stuff day in day out - boring!), and felt like I was being used as a ZooKeeper without the paypacket to go with it.

Some people worked there in the non-animal sections while being paid, and volunteered in animals on their days off.