If you have a passion for animals, there’s no shortage of related career paths for you to pursue. Read this to learn about seven of the best ones!
Animals play a big role in our lives. We have this mysterious connection to them.
Being around them has significant benefits for us. For example, animal companionship can lead to a decrease in stress hormones. They also prevent us from getting lonely.
Wild animals are just as important to our lives, as they contribute to balancing the ecosystem.
Now, think about earning a living working with animals. Wouldn’t that be fulfilling?
If this is your dream, you’ll love this list of seven top careers that involve dealing with animals.
1. Veterinarian
Veterinary medicine is a medical field focused on animal health. It’s the equivalent of being a doctor, but for animals.
As a vet, you’ll work directly with animals to keep them safe and healthy.
Just as a human doctor would, you’ll be observing, examining, diagnosing, and prescribing treatments for animal illnesses.
Veterinary medicine is a lucrative field. There’s always a demand for professionals in animal medicine to work in various settings. Some of the places you may work as a vet include:
- Private clinics
- Government institutions
- Animal shelters
- Zoos and aquariums
- Research facilities
- Farms
Qualifications for Becoming a Vet
To become a vet, you’ll need a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Also, depending on where you are, you may need licensing before you start to practice.
2. Animal Behaviorist
Do you often feel like you have a strong connection to animals?
Maybe you’d love to study them and understand their behavioral patterns and inner workings?
If so, you might enjoy a career as an animal behaviorist. In this field, you’ll study and research how animals behave and interact with their environment.
Your job is important in identifying behavioral changes and what influences them. By detecting abnormal changes early, behaviorists can help to avert calamities in the animal kingdom.
Qualifications for Becoming an Animal Behaviorist
To become an associate animal behaviorist, you’ll need a graduate degree in biological or behavioral sciences and two years of field experience.
To become a full behaviorist (non-associate) or to open your own practice, you’ll need the same credentials as associates, coupled with five years’ experience.
3. Animal Groomer
Animal grooming is all about taking care of an animal’s physical appearance and hygiene. It’s a hands-on job that demands cleaning, spraying, and making animals under your care look great and healthy.
And yes, you can make a legit career out of grooming, especially pets. It’s one of those fields where your personal approach and skills set you apart.
Qualifications for Becoming an Animal Groomer
You don’t need any certifications or degrees to become an animal groomer, although potential employers might want to see some related experience on your resume.
There might also be some jobs that require an undergraduate degree in biological sciences.
4. Trainer
Animal training is an in-demand career involving different types of animals. Trainers are in charge of reshaping animal behavior for different purposes.
As a trainer, your options are pretty much endless, which is great for career advancement. You might work in different settings, from private properties to zoos and even for entertainment companies.
Qualifications for Becoming a Professional Animal Trainer
If you’re a skilled trainer, you don’t even need a high school diploma or college degree to make a living.
However, you may want to get certified through an organization like the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers to show potential clients that you know what you’re doing.
5. Marine Biologist
Many people imagine marine biology as an elite career involving having fun by the sea.
Well, there’s some truth to that.
Marine biologists study and carry out research on ocean life and its interaction with the environment. This is very useful in conservation efforts.
Now, the reality is it’s a tough field, not very convenient, and not the route you want to take if you want to make loads of money. It’s the place you go if you have a passion for marine life and want a lifestyle involving the sea.
Qualifications for Becoming a Marine Biologist
A degree in biological science should get you an entry-level position. However, you’ll need a postgraduate degree if you want to conduct independent work and spearhead research projects.
6. Animal Nutritionist
This is the equivalent of a dietician for humans. As an animal nutritionist, you’ll work with ill animals, animals in zoos, those in game reserves, and research facilities.
Your primary role is to study and provide recommendations on animals’ dietary needs. The job involves a lot of research and lab tests rather than working closely with animals.
Qualifications for Becoming an Animal Nutritionist
For entry-level positions, you’ll need a degree in animal nutrition or dietetics and biological science. Specialization is usually required for higher positions.
7. Lab Animal Technician
Lab animal technicians are involved in animal studies, usually through research programs.
Generally, these programs focus on testing treatments and observing animal behavior in a controlled environment.
Your responsibilities as a lab animal tech may involve gathering and analyzing data, observing animal behavior, and caring for their wellbeing.
Qualifications for Becoming a Lab Animal Technician
An undergraduate degree in animal science, biology, chemistry, or a related area will get you started in this career. Experience in a lab capacity is sometimes required as well as industry certification.
Conclusion
These are just some of the careers that involve working with animals — a lot more than what we’ve touched on.
If you do have a passion for working closely with animals, start by figuring out exactly which animals you want to work with. Two different species could actually take you down two different career paths.
Whatever the case, there’s no shortage of job opportunities out there for qualified individuals. Whether you want to help animals stay healthy, make them look sharp, or train them for Hollywood productions, you’re sure to find a job you love.
Adam Marshall is a freelance writer specializing in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Grove at Waco to help them with their online marketing.
