HSC (finishing school) and zoo keeping

T

TelarniDaniela

New Member
I was wondering if you had to finish school to be a Zoo Keeper or working with big cats? Or are Captive Animals, Zoology, Animal Studies etc courses enough?
 
As you will see from other threads on Zoochat from would-be keepers, getting employment is difficult enough for those well qualified. If you lack university education you will find it even harder to get your dream job.
 
Yes. Finish school and then do a course at university. That will give you a much better chance.

:p

Hix
 
Even if I would rather doing animal based courses instead of the HSC subjects and stuff? I can get my GED at TAFE the reason I want to leave school is due to anxiety and the stress of exams on subjects that I won't ever need and would rather do courses that are gonna benefit me.. And because I'm homeschooled I have a lot more of a work load then normal school children and I can't go back to school due to mental health reasons I dunno id hat prefer to get my certificate in animal based courses
 
Animal based courses at TAFE are OK, but a university degree is better. And those things you think you'll never need, you might need one day.

If you've got stress issues, and mental health issues, then a career in zookeeping might not be the best option for you as it is can be stressful and physically demanding.

:p

Hix
 
There's nothing that says somebody with mental health issues is permanently unsuited to working in any field. That's simply untrue.

Having said that - your first, second, third, fourth and fifth option has to be to finish school. Get through the HSC (ask for whatever support they can provide - with a doctor's certificate you'll get it) and then you can take a year out to see whether future study is for you. I've worked with an employment service, and one thing it taught me is that no school = no options.
 
Having finished high school last year, and wanting to be a zookeeper myself, I took the initiative to go to university rather than TAFE. I am currently studying Animal Science which opens up a lot more opportunities than a diploma at TAFE does as, if you don't know already, zookeeping is a really competitive field. A degree at uni can open up opportunities in National Parks and Wildlife, lab work, field research, environmental planning, teaching and so on.

In saying that, after I graduate, I will probably go straight to TAFE to complete Certificate 2 + 3 in Captive Animals. I actually contacted a number of zoos in Aus and they recommended TAFE, especially Taronga Zoo which has a specialised TAFE facility. In other words, a uni degree (for me) is not only a back-up to go to other fields of work, but also gives you more qualifications that put you above the rest.

The actual most important thing (in my opinion, and directly from the mouth of the zoos I contacted) is that you start to gain volunteering experience. Start now if you can volunteering at zoos, wildlife parks, vets, etc. so you gain that hands on experience which can lead to job opportunities opening up.

Hope that helps somewhat :)
 
Last edited:
If you want to be a keeper, I'd strongly recommend finishing school and doing Cert 3 in Captive animals at TAFE (Richmond TAFE have a great reputation for zookeeping students getting paid employment) while volunteering at a zoo.
 
Finish your high school education at TAFE. Then follow that onto a TAFE course in animal studies, and branch out from there.

There are a few people who get jobs as keepers without finishing school, but they really are rare as hens teeth, and very lucky to even get a foot in the door.

Also, generally, those with university degrees will be paid much more than those without, and rightly so.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top