Animal management but I already have a Biology degree

I want to have a career in animal management/zookeeping/similar but in my research these jobs ask for an animal management qualification. I don't have this - but I have already graduated a BSc Biology degree.
Animal management courses all seem to be aimed at 16-18 year olds (in place of A levels for example) or pre-university as a foundational thing. Would these be a waste of my time as I'm not the intended student for them and I already have a higher level of education in the sector? What do I do instead? I can't afford to do a full animal management degree as I've already used my SFE funding for my first degree. Is there anything else?

Reply 1

bumblebeehugger

OP

16

I want to have a career in animal management/zookeeping/similar but in my research these jobs ask for an animal management qualification. I don't have this - but I have already graduated a BSc Biology degree.
Animal management courses all seem to be aimed at 16-18 year olds (in place of A levels for example) or pre-university as a foundational thing. Would these be a waste of my time as I'm not the intended student for them and I already have a higher level of education in the sector? What do I do instead? I can't afford to do a full animal management degree as I've already used my SFE funding for my first degree. Is there anything else?

Original post by bumblebeehugger

I want to have a career in animal management/zookeeping/similar but in my research these jobs ask for an animal management qualification. I don't have this - but I have already graduated a BSc Biology degree.
Animal management courses all seem to be aimed at 16-18 year olds (in place of A levels for example) or pre-university as a foundational thing. Would these be a waste of my time as I'm not the intended student for them and I already have a higher level of education in the sector? What do I do instead? I can't afford to do a full animal management degree as I've already used my SFE funding for my first degree. Is there anything else?

Good evening @bumblebeehugger,

It's great to hear you wish to work in animal management.

I am currently studying Ecology and wildlife conservation. I have seen many masters, which are a great way of getting experience with animal management. At the University of Reading, there is a one-year course that has a six-month learning period and a six-month paid work placement opportunity. The course is aimed at postgraduate students and helps them gain in-the-field experience.

Sometimes (not all the time), the workplaces which take the placement students keep the students on for permanent jobs. The course is linked here. This could be a potential way of getting into the workplace.

Another option for gaining experience is volunteering, as you can gain the knowledge you require for the jobs, but you will not have to pay the fees for a further master's degree.

Similarly, most colleges take students of all ages at a small fee. These courses might be more hands-on than a master's degree. Many students of all ages participate in these courses, as they give you the knowledge a university cannot, as they are more about learning. Perhaps you could attend an open event at the courses you are thinking about and see if you like them. You may also find mature students around whom you can be around.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

All the best
Ella 😀
BSc Ecology

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by bumblebeehugger

I want to have a career in animal management/zookeeping/similar but in my research these jobs ask for an animal management qualification. I don't have this - but I have already graduated a BSc Biology degree.
Animal management courses all seem to be aimed at 16-18 year olds (in place of A levels for example) or pre-university as a foundational thing. Would these be a waste of my time as I'm not the intended student for them and I already have a higher level of education in the sector? What do I do instead? I can't afford to do a full animal management degree as I've already used my SFE funding for my first degree. Is there anything else?

edit: seeing your older threads on the topic, it seems like you are very aware that your biology degree doesn't/didn't teach you how to actually work hands on with animals. In this case I think you just need to accept the biology degree is a bit of an accessory at this point and in order to move into that area, you need to get qualifications that are relevant to the role(s) you want to do (you may just need to find any old job to help fund that in the meantime). Alternately, you'd probably want to look at entry level positions that don't have any requirements and/or apprenticeship schemes to get involved in it.

Also I've merged your two threads on the same topic and moved them at least for now to the vet med forum as it seems closest in relevance (and people in this forum might have some ideas too!) - I don't think we have a landbased careers section for some reason :confused:

Equally, as I understand especially for zookeeping or working with exotic pets etc, usually pay is below average due to the "passion tax" such that there are enough people who would accept lower pay to do that job which they feel they love, regardless of their actual qualification level or the amount of work they do. You also see this in e.g. the arts and heritage sectors a lot. So needing to undertake those qualifications at cost may be part of the so-called "passion tax" as well.

Keep in mind plenty of students in school are able to organise some work experience when applying to vet med courses etc - although it will be a while yet, getting prepared ahead of lambing season to get work experience lambing may be a good way to get more direct experience working with animals. That may be helpful in getting some experience and/or a foot in the door with a local farm to get further experience. If there are any stables near you, you might also be able to get some voluntary experience doing work there with horses in the same vein?

(edited 4 months ago)

Original post by bumblebeehugger

I want to have a career in animal management/zookeeping/similar but in my research these jobs ask for an animal management qualification. I don't have this - but I have already graduated a BSc Biology degree.
Animal management courses all seem to be aimed at 16-18 year olds (in place of A levels for example) or pre-university as a foundational thing. Would these be a waste of my time as I'm not the intended student for them and I already have a higher level of education in the sector? What do I do instead? I can't afford to do a full animal management degree as I've already used my SFE funding for my first degree. Is there anything else?

Good evening @bumblebeehuger,

It's great to hear you are considering an animal-related career.

I highly recommend you look into volunteering, as this is the best way to gain experience and build the CV you need to apply for the jobs you want.

Similarly, the University of Reading offers a master's degree in work-related subjects. The master's has 6 months of academic learning and 6 months of work placements. Sometimes, companies keep their students on for permanent work placements, but this is dependent on individual cases. The link to the master's course is here. A masters could be a good way to gain the extra knowledge whilst getting the hands-on experience you need.

Alternatively, many college courses welcome mature students. These courses may be slightly cheaper than a master's and have fewer learning hours. The best way to see if you like these courses would be to speak to their leaders and attend an open day, as this will give you an inside look at the course.

Another option may be to apply for as many jobs as possible, and the chances are one will be able to give you the first step to your dream career. I also find emailing companies with my information and a CV is a great way to be seen. This technique is also a good way to find volunteering, as many companies don't advertise when they need an entry-level position or volunteering role.

I wish you all the best

Ella 😁
BSc Ecology

Reply 5

bumblebeehugger

OP

16

Original post by artful_lounger

edit: seeing your older threads on the topic, it seems like you are very aware that your biology degree doesn't/didn't teach you how to actually work hands on with animals. In this case I think you just need to accept the biology degree is a bit of an accessory at this point and in order to move into that area, you need to get qualifications that are relevant to the role(s) you want to do (you may just need to find any old job to help fund that in the meantime). Alternately, you'd probably want to look at entry level positions that don't have any requirements and/or apprenticeship schemes to get involved in it.
Also I've merged your two threads on the same topic and moved them at least for now to the vet med forum as it seems closest in relevance (and people in this forum might have some ideas too!) - I don't think we have a landbased careers section for some reason :confused:

Equally, as I understand especially for zookeeping or working with exotic pets etc, usually pay is below average due to the "passion tax" such that there are enough people who would accept lower pay to do that job which they feel they love, regardless of their actual qualification level or the amount of work they do. You also see this in e.g. the arts and heritage sectors a lot. So needing to undertake those qualifications at cost may be part of the so-called "passion tax" as well.
Keep in mind plenty of students in school are able to organise some work experience when applying to vet med courses etc - although it will be a while yet, getting prepared ahead of lambing season to get work experience lambing may be a good way to get more direct experience working with animals. That may be helpful in getting some experience and/or a foot in the door with a local farm to get further experience. If there are any stables near you, you might also be able to get some voluntary experience doing work there with horses in the same vein?

Thanks for merging them, I found the second forum after already posting and couldn't work out how to delete the first post.

After difficult years at uni I really don't want that education to be for nothing. But everything else is so far removed from hands on work unfortunately.

You can tell I've been posting about this for years and still not got anywhere 😭

Reply 6

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by bumblebeehugger

Thanks for merging them, I found the second forum after already posting and couldn't work out how to delete the first post.

After difficult years at uni I really don't want that education to be for nothing. But everything else is so far removed from hands on work unfortunately.

You can tell I've been posting about this for years and still not got anywhere 😭

Well perhaps reframe your thinking about it - the key thing you learned from your experience at uni is, you want to do hands on work! That's an important self-revelation and learning that through a difficult uni course early in your prospective career rather than later is valuable in itself. Also while it's not exactly glamorous, you certainly will have developed a lot of useful transferable skills through your degree - and if you do get to the point where to progress you do need to tick a box somewhere that says "bachelors degree" you have that already!

Sometimes it takes a while to figure things out, and sometimes you have to spend a while figuring out what you don't want to do, before you can start making progress towards what you do want to do :smile:

Animal management but I already have a Biology degree

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