Q. I'm doing a project for my ROP class for Animal Health Care. My questions are What are working conditions for zoo keepers, how do you seek and find a job? Also some more questions Are there any programs that you can get involve, are there any education programs, and schools? My project is do on the 8th so I will need to know it right away.
A. Alrighty approaching this one at a time.
Conditions: 90% of your time is spent outdoors, regardless of the weather, even when the zoo closes due to weather conditions keepers still have to feed animals and do routine maintenance/cleaning which involves work outside. Usually there is a large amount of physical labor (movement of feed/heavy wheelbarrows/trashcans/hay bales) You are always exposed to the rare though present sometimes unpredictable behavior of the animals.
Basically, it's a physical labor job (pretty much 50lb everything and the endurance to do that all day), that stresses a good memory, observational skills and ability to work under exposure of weather and allergens/disease vectors. A zookeeper learns how to keep what needs to be clean, clean, to not risk infections and that kind of risk.
Often you will also handle a limited amount of contact with people attending the zoo, giving rides or doing small educational shows. This entirely depends on the zoo, mine required I drive a few kinds of agro vehicles as well.
Seeking a job: If the zoo has online applications and job listings use those, otherwise contact the zoo directly to look for openings and meet with the manager if they do. Often they will suggest you leave an application with them in case a position becomes available.
Educational/Volunteer/Internship programs are offered by most large zoos and can be used for college credit as an elective.
Education fields related at college: Zoology, Animal Science, Biology, Marine Biology, Veterinary Technician, Parks and Recreation Management. There are others, those are the main priorities.
Specific Educations: There are a few colleges in the country which offer specifically zookeeping associates degrees. I would suggest just going one of the many other paths, a zookeeping degree is not worth a whole lot compared to say a vet tech degree, unless you simply lack the ability to complete the necessary coursework. However, Zookeeping degrees do raise the likelihood of becoming a zookeeper MANAGER.
Conditions: 90% of your time is spent outdoors, regardless of the weather, even when the zoo closes due to weather conditions keepers still have to feed animals and do routine maintenance/cleaning which involves work outside. Usually there is a large amount of physical labor (movement of feed/heavy wheelbarrows/trashcans/hay bales) You are always exposed to the rare though present sometimes unpredictable behavior of the animals.
Basically, it's a physical labor job (pretty much 50lb everything and the endurance to do that all day), that stresses a good memory, observational skills and ability to work under exposure of weather and allergens/disease vectors. A zookeeper learns how to keep what needs to be clean, clean, to not risk infections and that kind of risk.
Often you will also handle a limited amount of contact with people attending the zoo, giving rides or doing small educational shows. This entirely depends on the zoo, mine required I drive a few kinds of agro vehicles as well.
Seeking a job: If the zoo has online applications and job listings use those, otherwise contact the zoo directly to look for openings and meet with the manager if they do. Often they will suggest you leave an application with them in case a position becomes available.
Educational/Volunteer/Internship programs are offered by most large zoos and can be used for college credit as an elective.
Education fields related at college: Zoology, Animal Science, Biology, Marine Biology, Veterinary Technician, Parks and Recreation Management. There are others, those are the main priorities.
Specific Educations: There are a few colleges in the country which offer specifically zookeeping associates degrees. I would suggest just going one of the many other paths, a zookeeping degree is not worth a whole lot compared to say a vet tech degree, unless you simply lack the ability to complete the necessary coursework. However, Zookeeping degrees do raise the likelihood of becoming a zookeeper MANAGER.
Any vet techs out there that can help me with this question?
Q. I am doing vet tech classes online. Should i intern while doing the courses or should i wait and intern after i get certified. I need hands on expierence. Please only seriuos answers. Thanks!! =)
A. If I were you I would get as much experience as possible. I would try to intern somewhere now, or try to find a job as a veterinary assistant. Most of your learning is going to be hands on learning. And sometimes when you learn something out of a book, it doesn't really click until you see it done, or do it yourself. And it will also look good on your resume when you are looking for a job. Good Luck! You are going to love working with animals!
Why do people own cats but cannot care for them?
Q. I see an alarming number of questions from people who cannot afford basic veterinary care for their cat. They come online here, expecting us to be able to treat their cat, even asking advice for how to put a dying cat out of its misery. Is it too much to ask to assess the cost of care before taking on a pet? Doesn't anyone realize how irresponsible it is to not properly care for an animal?
A. AMEN TO THAT! I don't understand how people can be so selfish and cruel. It also comes down to laziness. If you are resourceful, you can find a way to get your cat veterinary care...get a 2nd job, beg, borrow, and barter. Research rescue organizations that will help you. This is why I like my cats more than most people.
How can I phrase this to my teacher and would it be rude?
Q. I want to ask my teacher about the veterinary technician field and my concerns about it. I feel she would be the most qualified to answer these questions since she was in the veterinary technician field for ten consecutive years before turning to the teaching profession.
What kind of questions should I ask and how should I phrase them?
What kind of questions should I ask and how should I phrase them?
A. It is not rude to ask your teacher, but rather flattering that your respect her opinion and experience so much. Ask her after class there is a time when you can ask her some questions about her experiences being a veterinary technician.
Don't ask her any questions that you can find out online: how much training you need, how much time it takes, or how much you get paid.
Instead, ask her qualitative questions such as what her job was like, whether it was what she expected, how it differed from her expectations, her misconceptions while in school, the best part of the job, the worst part of the job, the best thing she did in school for her career, and anything she wishes she did differently. Ask her if there is anything she wishes a teacher told her before she started school or started working.
Good luck!
Don't ask her any questions that you can find out online: how much training you need, how much time it takes, or how much you get paid.
Instead, ask her qualitative questions such as what her job was like, whether it was what she expected, how it differed from her expectations, her misconceptions while in school, the best part of the job, the worst part of the job, the best thing she did in school for her career, and anything she wishes she did differently. Ask her if there is anything she wishes a teacher told her before she started school or started working.
Good luck!
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