Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Zoology or Wildlife Conservation / Ecology

I'm trying to decide which course to do at University, and am planning to have a career in conservation (hopefully) of some sort, possibly more on the marine conservation side of things, but I'm not sure about that yet. I'm wondering whether Zoology or some sort of wildlife / ecology degree would be better? From my research, Zoology has higher entry grades in general, and more universities offer it. Also, the universities offering Zoology are higher up in the University ranks than the universities offering wildlife conservation. I know both of these degrees can get me into a career in conservation, but will one make me more employable than the other? I know Zoology is more general, which I like as I will have broader options at the end of the degree than I would if I took Wildlife conservation.

Anyone have any idea which one would be better to take?

Reply 1

Moonbow

I’m going a similar way to you but I’m only yr 11 :h:

Zoology is definitely still a very broad degree and is definitely a good place to go and then specialise further into whatever you like :biggrin:

Reply 2

OxFossil

Conservation jobs are pretty competitive these days. So many people want to go out in inflatable dinghies monitoring dolphins, sit in the Serengeti radiotracking cheetahs, reintroducing wolves to wild places! Whatever first degree you do, you'll probably need additional experience, like survey work or campaigning with an NGO.

As you say, Zoology is more general and will include a big chunk of stuff that will sorely test your patience - learning to run statistical analysis programmes, basic biochemistry, gaining a familiarity with the classification of animal groups etc. But most will also give you options in later years to focus on ecology or conservation issues. However, even the more specific courses of Ecology and Conservation will give you only a very limited insight into what most "field" conservationists deal with irl - the practical manual skills like how to crop a reedbed or manage a grazing regime. Even more important, most UG courses will give you only a vague idea of the politics and policy environment that really drives what gets done.

My daughter did a degree in Zoology, then a Masters in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management. She got an (office) policy job with a countryside NGO, before her current role in "real" conservation.

Based on that, I'd say the choice of first degree subject isnt as important as being determined, hard-working and get busy making contacts in the "real world" while you are there.