Different jobs relating to animals

[Toothless]

I am miserable at my current job, and while I like my field of study (Health, Safety and Environment) my real passion is anything about animals.
I was planning to become a vet out of high school and did quite a bit of volunteering at a few veterinary hospitals, as well as took a veterinary assistant college program and one year in university relating to biology and math. I started to become depressed while volunteering at the animal hospitals- too much death and ignorant people- and I decided becomming a veterinarian wasn't for me.

I've been working in Health and Safety for about 4 years now, and while it's ok, I just cannot see myself enjoying this career path 20 years down the road. I'm in the process of finding another job, and am seriously considering getting back into the animal side of things (just not at a vet clinic).

I'm wondering what kinds of jobs are available working with animals that pay more than 70,000 per year?
What I enjoy the most are research, parasitology, math, biology, teaching, and working directly with animals.
I'd like to go back to school and get into something that I will enjoy and that will make me excited to go to work each day :).
I know I'll need to go back to school, but need to figure out exactly what I want to do first.

[alessia55]

When I was looking at animal-related jobs, I got these 3 books. You may want to see if you can get them for yourself. They're cheaper if you have a Kindle.

The Everything Guide to Working with Animals
Michele C Hollow & William P Rives

Careers for Animal Lovers
Louise Miller

101 Best Businesses for Pet Lovers
Nicholas & Joseph Nigro

[smy_749]

And what did you find in those three books that was interesting job wise Alessia?

[alessia55]

And what did you find in those three books that was interesting job wise Alessia?
I picked them up several years ago and have since chosen a career without animals, so I don't remember much. They list job options, include what sort of degree you might need to get it, and how much is the average pay.

[MDT]

If you're going back to school, think again about veterinary medicine. When I was in undergrad (BS degree in zoology) I was really burned out on school. I had planned on being a doctor, but the thought of more school was not appealing. I was just married and I wanted to get on with life. I found out very quickly that a BS in zoology was not marketable. I worked PT jobs for a while, worked as a chemist for the city water dept. I then realized that a bit more school may not be a bad thing....So I went went back to school for a total of 8 more years (med school 4 and residency 4). I too was worried about the "death and ignorance" component of the profession. You'll learn how to process those things. And, you'll also learn some really cool stuff and be able to do some really cool things (surgery, pharmacology, etc).....If you're looking for $70K/yr, your choices are somewhat limited (at least they would be here in the states).

If you have a terminal degree (MD, DVM, DDS, PhD, etc) you can teach at the university level. That pay would probably approach $70K, at least the physician part does.

Good luck...let us know what you end up deciding.

[Toothless]

I will pick up those books and give them a read- thanks :).

So if I got my medical degree in veterinary science I could then branch out in one of several different directions? The thought of teaching sounds nice, but I would prefer something in the research field (am fasinated by infectious diseases, parasites, and illnesses).

I really do enjoy the diagnostic parts of being a vet and my family and friends always talk with me if they have a concern about one of their animals. I let them know when they should take it to the vet and give them a few ideas on what it could possibly be- I'm usually right :P.
I'm not sure if I would be able to 'get used to' so much death and ignorance. Everytime an animal would die, I would be absolutely devastated. I found myself angry alot, which is a feeling I don't like.

Working at a zoo would be my dream job :). I love exotic animals but know that it's next to impossible to get into a zookeeping position- I wouldn't care what the job paid if I got to do that.

[Starbuck]

toothless, there are lots of jobs in the veterinary field which are well removed from the patient/client part of things. It sounds like you might be interested in veterinary pathology or some public health things as well.
We actually just had a few lectures on 'compassion fatigue' and how it is a very real thing, especially in shelter medicine situations. It is also one of the reasons that the veterinary profession has some of the highest rates of depression :(

As for teaching, as a veterinary professor (depending on your university or school), you may end up making 70-100k, but you have to get past the 'adjunct' professor stage, which is where they pay you per lecture etc. Faculty is often added based on their ability to further the school with academic research, and secondarily based on their ability to teach :P That being said, i would LOVE to be an educator in some capacity when I'm finished up with school.

Good luck!

[MDT]

I'm not sure if I would be able to 'get used to' so much death and ignorance. Everytime an animal would die, I would be absolutely devastated. I found myself angry alot, which is a feeling I don't like.


Please don't misunderstand "learn to process those things" with "get use to it"...I promise you, those are not the same things. I have never gotten "used to it". Every time I have to tell a family member that a loved one has died is a very difficult time. How you present the information, how you try to be compassionate and empathetic toward the family and how you emotionally process the event afterward is something you will learn during your schooling. If you ever "got use to it" then medicine (vet or human) is probably not for you. If you care for the animals that much, you would likely do very well as an advocate for them.

As far as the "stupid" goes...yep...you do get angry. Face palm every single day. But, it's an opportunity to educate. If education isn't possible and "meeting in the middle" isn't possible...you fire them as a patient. Win/win :)

[Toothless]

I can see how compasion fatigue would be considered real. I've never heard of it before, but it makes perfect sense. I always felt so bad, not only for the animal, but for the grieving owners as well.
I also have poor communication skills- I know how they are feeling, but just don't seem to know what to say.
I just did some looking, and never realized that a vet degree could lead to so many possibilities. I suck in the people department, but am good working solo or in small groups.
Pathology sounds wonderful!! I remember loving that class SO much in school. I always annoyed my teacher by asking too many questions though- they just didn't go into enough detail :yes:.
I found school hard back then as I was always upset if I didn't get a perfect score. I believe it will be easier this time around though as I've learned that no one is perfect, and striving for perfection will always lead to dissapointment.

[Toothless]

Please don't misunderstand "learn to process those things" with "get use to it"...I promise you, those are not the same things. I have never gotten "used to it". Every time I have to tell a family member that a loved one has died is a very difficult time. How you present the information, how you try to be compassionate and empathetic toward the family and how you emotionally process the event afterward is something you will learn during your schooling. If you ever "got use to it" then medicine (vet or human) is probably not for you. If you care for the animals that much, you would likely do very well as an advocate for them.

As far as the "stupid" goes...yep...you do get angry. Face palm every single day. But, it's an opportunity to educate. If education isn't possible and "meeting in the middle" isn't possible...you fire them as a patient. Win/win :)

Thank you for that clarification. It's something I'll have to give alot of thought to and see if it's something I can handle.

[MizCandice]

I agree, its not something you get used to in the sense that it no longer bothers you, but you learn to bounce back from it and focus on the positive things you have done and do on a daily basis... Ive had to hold the hand of dying patients and console the devastated families... at times I still cry with them, but after they are so greatful for that shoulder and Im comforted that i perhaps made a diffrence in that individuals last moments. You learn to deal with it, and not every day will be a bad one. The successes are what keep you going! Good luck!

[Zoo Nanny]

Why would you think it impossible to get a zoo keeper position? Most good zoos do intern and extern positions. Many people who complete these are hired by the zoos into keeper positions. The only zoos that I know of that are difficult to get positions in are Disney, San Diego and Busch Gardens. And even these zoos have assistant keeper positions.

[Toothless]

Why would you think it impossible to get a zoo keeper position? Most good zoos do intern and extern positions. Many people who complete these are hired by the zoos into keeper positions. The only zoos that I know of that are difficult to get positions in are Disney, San Diego and Busch Gardens. And even these zoos have assistant keeper positions.
I had always been told its extremely difficult to get in as the turnover rate is generally very low. It's something I really would enjoy though so will look into it some more.

[Zoo Nanny]

I became at zoo keeper at 45 years old after taking an early retirement from Special Ed. I began by volunteering at the zoo and worked my butt off showing them how valuable I was. A temp position became available and asked if I would take it. I jumped at it. Once I worked for a year in the temp position I applied at Zoo New England in Boston for a position and was hired there. Best thing I ever did and wished I had done it when I was younger. Loved it but it's very physical work and I was getting too old. Even if you are only able to volunteer 1 day per week it gets your foot in the door. You already have animal background so that's a plus. Most zoos will look for experience over paper. Good luck.

[Toothless]

I actually enjoy physical work so that wouldn't be a problem :). We used to wake up at 4am every morning when I was young to feed the horses and it involved alot of labor. I also have some experience with rescuing and caring for a slew of different animals.
We are planning to move to Calgary next year, so maybe I'll contact the zoo and see if they may have any volunteer positions comming available.

[Zoo Nanny]

If you have free time check out the AZA website they list all the jobs, internships and externships available at the zoos. There are some zoos in Canada that belong, including the Calgary Zoo. Also some of the zoos in the US will find housing for people from out of the country who want to do internships down here. Association of Zoos and Aquariums (http://www.aza.org/careers-zoos-aquariums/)

[Toothless]

If you have free time check out the AZA website they list all the jobs, internships and externships available at the zoos. There are some zoos in Canada that belong, including the Calgary Zoo. Also some of the zoos in the US will find housing for people from out of the country who want to do internships down here. Association of Zoos and Aquariums (http://www.aza.org/careers-zoos-aquariums/)
Thank you for the information. I'll take a look later this evening :). I won't be making a definate decision until mid next year then will have to save up for a bit before taking time off for school.