Job outlook with zoology degree from the US.

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Nature123

Member
Hello! I'm going to be majoring in zoology while in college and it's making me think about the job outlook in America, with only a few choices it doesn't give me much room to 'expand' in a sense and I've been thinking about moving to a different country to where I would enjoy working in such as South Africa, parts of South America and Australia. Australia has caught my eye many times because as a kid growing up, I'd always want to go there. With a wide variety of animals, especially reptiles, I would never get bored in a place like that haha. Plus, Australia looks as if it would have more use for a zoologist in a way.

My question(s) are:
-What jobs could I obtain with a zoology degree in Australia?
-Would a US zoology degree be valid there?
-Are there a decent amount of jobs open?
-Is there any real need for herpetologists over there?
-How hard would it be to live off a zoo keepers salary over there?
-Would it be hard for me to conduct my own research?
-Would it be possible to work for a wildlife sanctuary of sorts?

And I might have other questions later on, but as for now, that's about it haha. If you could answer any of my questions it would be greatly appreciated!
 
1. Jobs
The obvious ones that spring to mind are school teacher (lecturer with a few more degrees), and zookeeper.

2. Degree
Yes, your American degree would be valid here, as long as it is from a recognised university and your certificate was not purchased online from a degree mill.

3. Job vacancies
Jobs in your field would be extremely competitive (and rare) if you wanted to be a zookeeper. (Recently, the Melbourne Zoo received 600 applications from around the world for a couple of entry-level keeper positions.) If you wanted to be a teacher, you would have to do some further certification, but a job shouldn't be too difficult to find.

4. Herps
I assume that the chances of being employed as a herp are as slim as becoming a zookeeper but I really have no idea.

5. Salary
You would be able to live off your zookeeper salary if you were extremely frugal. Don't forget that a lot of keepers are employed casually or on a part time basis, so additional employment is necessary.

6. Research
I am not sure how zoos here view research and publications, but it is fair to assume that a larger zoo would be more amenable to research than would a small, family-owned wildlife park if you expect to conduct/write up your research on the clock.

7. Sanctuary
It would probably be easier to volunteer at a small wildlife sanctuary than to expect them to sponsor a work permit for a new American graduate.

Having said all of that, there are a few things to be aware of.

For example, to get a work permit, the potential employer needs to convince Immigration that you have skills that no other Australian has: being fresh out of university, and with scores of Aussie zoologists graduating every year, this might be difficult.

Maybe you could apply for a work-holiday visa where you work/volunteer around Australia. Maybe you could do a gap year and try to volunteer at wildlife parks in Australia?

And keep this in mind: you have nothing to lose by applying incessantly for each and every job, because you can't win the lottery unless you buy a ticket, so be persistent. However, be aware that the zoo keeping profession is (as I read in a recent article posted here on the forum somewhere) the most competitive profession in the world.

Best of luck with your endeavours.
 
I'm a Zoologist and there are plenty of jobs for hard-working ones here in Australia and I for one would welcome good Zoologists from America with open arms, especially ecologists (....even though I majored in physiology). I would suggest finishing College in America but then applying for an ecology PhD at an Australian university before getting a full-time job. Australia is definitely one of the best places in the world to study biology, epecially reptiles, no matter what part of the country you're in. There are then plenty of great careers through universities, all levels of government and the private sector - noting that we are losing native vegetation and biodiversity at an alarming rate in this country and the main drivers are a rapidly expanding population (with subsequent economic development) and a very strong mining sector. There is therefore a desparate need now and in the future for biologists to work across all sectors to try and protect and conserve our native flora and fauna.

ps. below is a good website that I advertise jobs in occasionally (and it also advertises PhD scholarships). There's probably less jobs than usual there at the moment because it's summer holiday time:

http://www.nrmjobs.com.au/
 
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Thanks for the responses!

Your answers really helped! However, this has brought up some more questions haha.
Is there any other careers related to zoology there? I know this is a bad place to draw info from, but, from some documentaries I've seen, there are researchers that work with Tasmanian Devils trying to find a cure for the tumors, trying to prevent casowaries from creeping into urban areas, working with snakes as well as monitors just for research, working with and studying crocodiles at nature reserves, etc. Are those jobs practical at all? Or should I just not look into those?
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Would it be possible for me to go from a masters or bachelors degree in the US to doing a Ph.D in Australia? I'd love to do that, to put it plain, it'll have to have some worth to me. Not saying that I wouldn't do it, but if I wouldn't be able to get the job I desire out of it, I don't think it'll be worth the money. I'm open to any major within zoology, such as marine biology, mammology, conservation biology, etc. to help me find a good, self supporting job. Would that be plausible?

Also, would there be anyone I can contact, preferably via email or such so I can ask further in depth questions?

Thanks for the help guys!
 
Nature123 said:
Your answers really helped! However, this has brought up some more questions haha.
Is there any other careers related to zoology there? I know this is a bad place to draw info from, but, from some documentaries I've seen, there are researchers that work with Tasmanian Devils trying to find a cure for the tumors Are those jobs practical at all? Or should I just not look into those?
Click to expand...

I cant really help to much but I willgive you what little info I have

Ive been lectured of the main woman leading the research for the Devil cancer (Elizabeth Murchison) she is based in Cambridge in the UK. From what I gathered most of the technical side is done in Cambridge, however they obviously go out there to collect data occassionally, and data is also set to them from individuals caught/found etc. Her work and lab is highly accademic, and not really "practical"

Any practical work is unlikely to be related to finding a cure- more likely work would be either trying to prevent the spread to the North West, establishing healthy pops on offshore islands or managing the captive population. All of these are more ecology based rather than oncology based. :) Perhaps read a few papers and follow the paper trail to some labs which are working much more practically on saving the species?:)
 
Jet made some good points about working in the private sector or for the government. I forgot those career paths. Oops.

With regards to your question about what the phd is worth, think about it like this: in the old days you didn't need formal qualifications to be a zookeeper, but the world has become so competitive that everyone and their dog has a phd. So although the knowledge gained from the phd research may not make you the best keeper in the world, it just might be that in a few years all your peers at big city zoos will be doctors.

For now, I suggest that you focus on completing your undergrad degree and obtain outstanding marks, whilst job hunting and PhDs remain secondary thoughts when you have a spare moment.
 
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