If you have a love and deep passion for animals and their well-being, then a career working with animals may be a suitable fit for you.
These jobs can be extremely fulfilling, especially because you are promoting the health and well-being of your patients.
There is a huge range of jobs in this field and most of these jobs are flexible in terms of whether you work for yourself, or if you work part-time for an employer, in addition to the fact that there are many job opportunities to work overseas.
1. Veterinary Technician
Why Become a Veterinary Technician?
A veterinarian technician is essentially an animal nurse.
This position wears many hats, including the role of an anesthesia technician, a radiology technician, a phlebotomist, a surgery technician, as well as a laboratory technician.
In order to qualify for this position, a candidate must attend an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited college.
Due to the multi-faceted nature of their role, these professionals are extremely good at multi-tasking.
Their primary concern is the health and well-being of their animal patients.
They offer assistance to veterinarians in terms of taking x-rays, surgery, and laboratory work, to mention a few when diagnosing and treating animals in private clinics, research facilities, and animal hospitals.
This career requires a high level of empathy towards and love for animals.
One thing is for sure, your days will be exacting and rewarding as a veterinarian technician.
| Veterinary Technician Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 20% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Veterinary Technician
2. Zookeeper
Why Become a Zookeeper?
Zookeepers are often the most visible members of the entire team working at a zoo.
This career field offers candidates many great opportunities and experiences.
Zookeepers do not often earn a wonderful salary, but the job is extremely rewarding if you are an animal lover.
These animal professionals often opt to specialize in one particular area of zoology, such as working with endangered species, specializing in birds, zebras, monkeys, rhinos, etc.
They may also help to raise the young of endangered species kept at their facility while also assisting with reproductive procedures.
The day-to-day activities may include feeding the animals, administering medication, keeping records up to date, assisting with veterinary procedures, cleaning and maintaining the enclosure of the animals placed under their care, as well as reporting any changes of behavior in the animals to the relevant parties.
Those seeking a job in this field must have patience, people skills, be very physically fit, and also have the ability to notice any changes in the animal.
| Zookeeper Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 16% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Zookeeper
3. Veterinarian
Why Become a Veterinarian?
Let’s start with the fact that this is a job that is always in demand.
One of the most important factors when deciding to become a veterinarian is that you should possess a deep love for working with animals and a desire to make the world a better place for these patients.
While money may not be the motivating factor for many opting for this career, the truth is that this is a very well-paid profession.
Even more so if you own your own veterinarian practice.
But, this can be a challenging and often very stressful job.
This industry is an evolving industry in terms of research, practices, skills, and technology.
If you are concerned about a field that will stagnate, you should know that due to constant research, emerging technology, and new methods of practice, this field offers a lot of room for growth and development.
In addition, there is a range of settings around the world where the skills of a qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable veterinarian are always in demand.
| Veterinarian Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 18.8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Veterinarian
4. Animal Trainer
Why Become an Animal Trainer?
There is an old saying that states that you should find something you love doing, such as a hobby, and turn it into a career.
You will never work a day in your life.
Nothing could be more true in terms of a career as an animal trainer.
You will work with dogs, puppies, and other animals on a daily basis.
In addition, this could easily be one of the most fun jobs to do.
You are getting paid to do something that you love.
A deep love of animals is required in order to be really good at this job.
If you have a love for the outdoors, then you can expect to spend the majority of your day outdoors in this career.
This is a low-pressure job with an extremely rewarding profession.
It may not be the highest paying job in this industry, but it will provide a substantial amount of free time as you rarely feel like you are working.
| Animal Trainer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 1-2 Years |
| Outlook | 13% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Animal Trainer
5. Wildlife Biologist
Why Become a Wildlife Biologist?
A wildlife biologist studies the impact of habitat loss, the effects of pollution on wildlife, as well as the effect of disease on wildlife, amongst other things.
These professionals spend a lot of their time studying wildlife in their natural habitat, which includes extensive traveling.
If you are fond of nature, traveling, and wildlife, this career may be perfect for you.
One of the key performance areas in this field is the management of animal populations.
Especially in terms of tourism, conservation, wildlife animal sightseeing, etc.
The majority of their observations include observing animals in their natural habitat, the behavior of animals, as well as their physical characteristics.
In addition to this, a wildlife biologist may study the travel and migratory patterns of certain wildlife, such as the American crow, for example.
This is an extremely rewarding career for those that love wild animals.
| Wildlife Biologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Wildlife Biologist
