Does working with animals strictly implicate a low pay?

It's something you will never be rich doing.

Is there any particular type of animal she'd like to work with or just animals in general?

Cheers for the fast reply



I got the feeling that might be the case, but I'm telling her that as long as she's happy then that should be her main priority I suppose! She is most definitely against working in a vetinary surgery, so I'm thinking I'll leave that option off the list until it becomes absolutely necessary that we consider it. :P

We're going to look into the RSPCA inspector job, just incase it's something she might go for.


She says she's not bothered either way and wouldn't mind working with exotic or "normal", but I think she'd be more happy with fluffly capybaras opposed to alligators

I am an aspiring zoologist so I hope I can help a little.

If your girlfriend doesn't want to go back to uni, say goodbye to high wages if she wants to work with animals. This is why I am going back to uni. You will not get a high-paying (most of the time, not even low-paying!) job with animals without a degree in a biology-related subject.

I would recommend:

- Go back to uni, finish the degree she started, and get a masters in something related to conservation. This is what some friends of mine at the RSPB recommended I do when I had this question last year. I didn't do it because I want to aim higher (than getting a masters at a local poly).

- Go back to uni and do a degree in biology, zoology, or something similiar. Obviously it takes money and time but it's one of your best options. I am going back to uni to study biology for this reason. Financially it kills me- but I really want to do this.

- Study wuth the Open University. Pay less fees and work more hours than a regular uni (even up to full-time depending on how you schedule yourself). Good option financially. I recommend the BsC Life Sciences if you do this. This is my backup option. I love the Open Uni but I want the experience of a 'brick' uni if poss, especially as I'm going to be doing science.

- Try to get into anywhere, zoos, etc., at the lowest level possible and work your way up. This is hard without a qualification.

No matter what she does, here's one vital tip which is equal in importance to getting a degree in an employer's eyes: work experience. She NEEDS to go out there and do voluntary work or any qualification will be absolutely useless. Depending on the field- travel abroad and do voluntary work, help out at a local rescue centre, volunteer for a related charity, plus you can do residential volunteering (RSPB does this).

Good luck

You don't need to have a degree though for low paying jobs. A lot of people I know that work with animals in low pay jobs do not have degrees. They do have an animal management qualification though.

I only mentioned this because in my experience of madly avoiding having to go back to uni I tried to get a job with animals anywhere- and no luck. They all wanted degrees. I'm sure you can wing a low-paying job without one, but if you want higher pay it seems impossible.



Great option if you are financially too hard-up to go back to a 'brick' uni. And I find the O.U. is really good. I am studying Natural Sciences there myself right now- I am learning a lot, really good quality teaching, etc., it has surprised me. Plus, if you are low-income, you might not have to pay anything, as far as I'm aware- or at least get a massive reduction.

What career are you aiming for, Nambi? Or should we discuss this via PM to stop us clogging up Spice_Weasel's thread?

I guess I can answer this one here just incase it's of any use to anyone... I am keeping my options open (who knows, I might develop a passion for mosquito DNA) but I'm fairly sure I want to go into animal behaviour, if anyone would allow me to be a research scientist for this I'd be made up Whether it's watching ants day and night or speaking to chimps in sign language, I'd find it amazing, all the effort would have been worthwhile.

If nothing else, I'd be quite content cleaning up elephant poo- lord knows I can't get a job doing that now, so progress is progress!

Haha clog up all you like I like to see you guys natter about this so I can give the missus some more ideas

I've just looked at BSc Life Sciences (linky) with the OU and it seems like a really good idea! Especially something like a foundation degree!

I did have a look at thier Financial Calculator and put down an annual income of around £8000, and it says her fees up to £1210 will be paid for. Only problem now is finding out how much the actual course itself costs so I can work out how much she'd have to pay :P

I'll keep you guys updated, and thanks again

I am an aspiring zoologist so I hope I can help a little.

If your girlfriend doesn't want to go back to uni, say goodbye to high wages if she wants to work with animals. This is why I am going back to uni. You will not get a high-paying (most of the time, not even low-paying!) job with animals without a degree in a biology-related subject. This sucks, but unfortunately its true. I hated hearing this last year but there seems to be no way round it as this is a very competitive area.

I would recommend:

- Go back to uni, finish the degree she started, and get a masters in something related to animals. This is what some friends of mine at the RSPB recommended I do when I had this question last year. One of them got a degree in politics but was still accepted for a masters in conservation at a small local uni.

- Go back to uni and do a degree in biology, zoology, or something similiar. Obviously it takes money and time but it's one of your best options. I am going back to uni to study biology for this reason. Financially it kills me- but I really want to do this.

- Study with the Open University. Pay less fees and work more hours than a regular uni (even up to full-time depending on how you schedule yourself). Good option financially. I recommend the BSc Life Sciences if you do this. This is my backup option.

- Try to get into anywhere, zoos, etc., at the lowest level possible and work your way up. This is hard without a qualification.

No matter what she does, here's one vital tip which is equal in importance to getting a degree in an employer's eyes: work experience. She NEEDS to go out there and do voluntary work or any qualification will be absolutely useless. Depending on the field- travel abroad and do voluntary work, help out at a local rescue centre, volunteer for a related charity, plus you can do residential volunteering (RSPB does this).

Good luck

Edit:

I really recommend getting a qualification. Really really. But I wouldn't rule out the possibility of her getting a job with animals if she pushes the boat out with voluntary work. However, without a qualification, the promotion opportunities might be restricted.

She needs to think about what exactly she is interested in and finding out how to get there. For instance if she likes conservation and volunteering, maybe she would like to work for a charity. If this was the case I'd recommend emailing a charity and asking them what they look for when they advertise this type of vacancy.

Obviously if she would like to be a research scientist popping over to the Galapogos to study finch beaks she will need academic background in this.

Not sure RSPCA inspector is the way to go. Seeing animals in distress and talking to their lowlife owners about it? Not good for a softie.