Zookeepers are professionals who work to inform people and take care of animals in zoos, aquariums or bio parks. These are individuals who come from very different previous work experiences and backgrounds, so there is no single guaranteed way to pursue this career. A good academic record, a lot of experience and determination will help you become a zookeeper.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Read up
Step 1. Learn about a career as a zoo worker
Before starting the training path to become a biopark keeper, you need to understand what the job consists of. This is a very strenuous job, both physically and emotionally, and you need to be sure that this is the career for you.
- Caring for animals requires a lot of physical effort. It's not a particularly exciting job and you'll come home dirty, sweaty and tired. You also need to be strong and flexible, able to lift at least 25kg of weight.
- A zookeeper's schedule is at least irregular. The shifts change every week and you will also have to work during the holidays.
- If you are an animal enthusiast, this is a career that holds a lot of rewards. From a wage point of view, however, it is not remunerated as much as other professions in the same sector. On average, a zookeeper earns around € 27,000 gross a year, but the salary varies based on experience and the cost of living in the region where the zoo is located.
- A zoo attendant performs very different tasks every day. In addition to feeding the animals, supervising and informing customers, and cleaning the cages and areas where the public can observe the animals, a keeper must also do some paperwork. It is necessary for him to take notes and write down everything that happens during the day, propose ideas and entertain the guests of the park, as well as communicate with other operators.
Step 2. Know the alternatives to this career
Many people love the idea of working at the zoo, but are put off by the very idea of the amount of physical work and the unpredictability of working hours. However, be aware that there are many other positions available that are essential for a biopark to "work".
- Directors, managers and coordinators occupy administrative positions. Those in these duties oversee ongoing projects, plan and make sure park regulations are followed, hire and manage staff and volunteers, help make decisions about the zoo's future.
- The curators decide which animal species will be part of the zoo and take care of procuring them. The general and animal curators manage all the specimens in the park, while the exhibitors and training managers create graphics and study educational programs to offer to visitors to the zoo.
- Marketers and fundraisers are tasked with raising money to run the zoo, handle sales, park promotion, and create publicity campaigns and public service announcements for the biopark.
- Zoologists and biologists are part of the staff of a park and provide technical and scientific assistance regarding the maintenance of the environment in which the animals live. They are also involved in conducting research on certain species.
- Veterinarians and their assistants also find work in the zoo and look after the health needs of the animals.
Step 3. Take a course of study
There is no specific qualification or course of study to become a zookeeper, and selection requirements vary by park. However, the higher your education related to fauna, biology and nature, the greater your chances of employment.
- If you are a high school student, you can volunteer and apprentice at some local biopark or zoo. You can ask the secretariat of your school for information, because sometimes there are conventions and agreements. Alternatively, you can check the website of the park you are interested in.
- If you have decided to continue your studies after high school, then you should consider faculties such as zoology, biology, zootechnical sciences and technologies of animal production or veterinary. In some cases, you can get a bachelor's degree in three years.
- Do an online search to assess which path is best suited to your needs and which faculties are available in your area. If you want to study abroad, you can earn a bachelor's degree in the United States in "zoo science", "zoo management" and "zoo education".
- If there are no specific courses at your university, you can always study zoology, biology, sciences and technologies for the environment and nature or agricultural and forestry sciences and technologies. All of these faculties increase your chances of working in a zoo.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Experience
Step 1. Work as a volunteer
Experience is very important in any profession, but it is vital in those jobs where specific skills are needed, just like in the maintenance of the biopark. Volunteering is a great starting point that can open doors to an apprenticeship or hiring.
- Zoos typically organize training courses for volunteers. Safety is one of the main aspects when working with wild animals; therefore know that the training course provided by a biopark will be much more detailed than that organized by other institutions that rely on volunteering.
- Hours are generally flexible. You can lend your work with a fixed schedule over two weeks or even two months or you can work only during special events, for example during the monitoring of pregnancies or the introduction of new specimens.
- Try to make the most of the experience as a volunteer. Ask questions and talk to the other Guardians to find out how they got to their position. Make friends and create a social network that could help you work in a zoo in the future.
Step 2. Do your apprenticeship in the zoo
This is an important detail to add to your resume and gives you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the field. Although apprenticeship is important for any career, if you plan to work in a zoo it is even more vital.
- In this case you will have to go personally to the various zoos and ask to be admitted as an apprentice. If you are attending a related faculty, you could do your internship in a park thanks to contacts with the university. If, on the other hand, you have decided to study abroad, especially in the United States, know that The American Association of Zoo Keepers publishes on its website a series of institutions where you can carry out your apprenticeship. Their database is a perfect starting point.
- Know that the apprenticeship will be very challenging. Although most of the internships are part-time, the one that takes place at a zoo has a working time of 40 hours per week. Be prepared to have to work even on weekends.
- Typically this form of collaboration is unpaid, but you may get a small reimbursement of expenses or room and board.
- This internship period lasts three months and university and high school students often take advantage of the summer holidays to do it.
Step 3. Get certifications and gain technical knowledge
To work as a zookeeper you need to possess a combination of manual and technical skills. Enhance your resume by getting certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, learn to use many computer management programs.
- You can sign up for courses to obtain the first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate. A zookeeper needs to be ready for emergencies, and this certificate will set you apart from other applicants when applying for a job. The institutes that organize this course at the end issue a certificate proving that you have attended it successfully; try to sign up for these types of classes because not only will you earn college credit, but it will help you improve your professional skills.
- As a zookeeper, you will need to write long reports every day, take note of the animals' behaviors, and occasionally make introductions to other staff members or park visitors. For this reason, a good knowledge of Microsoft Office package programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint represents a great added value in your resume. You can sign up for computer courses or try it yourself.
Part 3 of 3: Finding a Job
Step 1. Write your resume
A good resume is undoubtedly the first step to finding the perfect job position, and as an aspiring zookeeper, you need to emphasize your field experiences, references and academic background.
- You must use a readable, modern-looking typeface. Avoid those in italics or too convoluted and choose a size between 10 and 12.
- While a good resume should be relatively simple, choosing a pleasing color, graphics, and distinctive edge allow you to stand out from the crowd. Try inserting a monogram with your initials in the top corner or use different colors for the titles of the various sections. Don't overdo it, though, and don't choose bright colors. Limit yourself to shades of dark blue or purple and make sure the letters are still legible.
- Only include information that is relevant to the type of job you are applying to. The zoo director isn't interested in knowing that you worked in a bar to pay the rent during college, but he will want more details of your volunteer work at the local farm on weekends when you were in your senior year of college.
- Write your resume in reverse chronological order. Start with the most recent experiences and work backwards. Generally, it is recommended to write the most important experience "above the fold" of the page. This way you will be able to read immediately, because it is in the first half of the folded sheet. In other words, try to note the most important work you've done at the top of the page.
- Ask another person to check your resume, such as a professor, former employee, or friend or family member. They will not only offer you suggestions for tweaking the order and formatting, but they will also be able to check for spelling or grammar errors. Many people are unable to see their misspellings when working on a document for a long time.
Step 2. Know where to find a job
Looking for a job can really overwhelm you, and many people don't know where to look. Plan a strategy for finding open positions.
- If you have decided to pursue an educational path in the United States, then The American Association of Zoo Keepers is probably the best place to start. The association has a complete list of vacancies which is updated throughout the year. Alternatively, go to the various zoos of interest to file your resume and ask to speak to a manager.
- Talk to former employees. If you have been doing an apprenticeship or have volunteered at a zoo, then you should contact the other keepers and ask them if they are hiring. Even if no positions are available for the time being, they may contact you in the future.
- Contact the bio parks in your area and see if they are looking for staff. Submit your resume, even if you are not asked, and let them know that you are looking for a job. Even if there is nothing at the time, they may file your request and reconsider it for future selections.
Step 3. Be flexible in your search
You probably won't find the job you want right away. You must be willing to face unfavorable changes and situations. Each job allows you to improve your resume and accumulate direct experience.
- Zookeepers work quite long shifts and have to work during holidays. If you are offered employment, be prepared to work hard.
- There are zoos all over the country, so you should broaden your search range and not limit yourself to your area of residence. You may have to move to work. Be prepared for this both financially and emotionally.
- Know that the salary will be quite low at first. The guardians of the bio parks do not earn much, especially in the first years of their careers. You have to be willing to manage a tight budget and work for little money.
Advice
- Zookeepers must have great physical strength to work with animals. You should be committed to training and maintaining your fitness if you want to try to pursue this career.
- Many people decide to work with animals because they are shy and uncomfortable with people; however, social contact is vital in zookeeper business, as in any other job. You will need to relate to other individuals who work in the same industry as you in order to make a career, so get out of your social "comfort zone" and try to interact with those around you.
