Are you interested in turning your love for animals into a career?
Wildlife careers and veterinary professions are hotter than ever. Owning pets is more popular than ever. Conservation initiatives continue to grow. Animal health has gone mainstream.
But one question remains…
How do you actually break into this industry?
If you don’t know the ins and outs of becoming a wildlife professional. You’ll get lost before you even begin.
There are many different paths you can take to get where you want to go in this industry. Some may take longer than others. And some are a lot faster (and cheaper) than you might think.
Here’s what we cover:
- The Current Landscape for Wildlife Careers
- Understanding the Veterinary Technician Pathway
- Degrees that will actually help you
- How to Gain Real World Experience
- Paths to Specialisation You Can Take
The Current Landscape for Wildlife Careers
Career statistics can tell us a lot about how this profession is growing.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of veterinary technicians to be 9% from 2024-2034. That is significantly faster than the average growth rate when compared to all occupations.
Which means…
There will be plenty of jobs available for qualified individuals to take.
But you may be surprised at some of the careers that fall into the wildlife category.
Wildlife careers span everything from veterinary clinics to zoos and national parks. From field positions all the way to college professorships.
Career options include veterinarian, conservation scientist, wildlife biologist, animal behaviourist and many more.
The trick is finding the educational pathway that will lead to your dream career. Someone looking to obtain an animal behavior degree will have a different veterinary technician pathway than someone wanting to work directly in veterinary medicine.
Understanding the Veterinary Technician Pathway
What does a typical veterinary technician pathway look like?
To start, it all begins with education. The majority of vet tech jobs will require at least an associates degree from an accredited veterinary technology program.
During these two years of schooling, students will learn about animal anatomy, laboratory procedures, surgical assistance, medication administration, and how to properly restrain animals.
After gaining the proper knowledge, an aspiring vet tech will need to become certified. Passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination will earn you credentials that will allow you to become a licensed, certified, or registered veterinary technician in most states.
All of this education and training leads to a median annual salary of $45,980 as of May 2024. Not too shabby for just two years of education.
Benefits of the Vet Tech Pathway
The beauty of this career pathway is that you can become working in your field fairly quickly.
And there’s always room for growth by continuing your education later on down the road.
Many veterinary technicians continue their education by obtaining their bachelor’s degree or specializing in a certain area of veterinary medicine.
Degrees that will actually help you
Before we jump into the degrees you should obtain. It’s important to note that not all degrees will set you up for success.
When following the veterinary technician career pathway, you want to ensure you are enrolling in an accredited program that will be recognized by employers.
Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology
This is the most common degree that aspiring vet techs will earn. It takes two years of study to complete an associate degree in veterinary technology.
Students can find job opportunities after graduation in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories.
A large portion of the classes you take will be hands on. Many programs utilize labs so you will spend time with actual animals while learning.
Bachelor’s Degrees
If you want to take veterinary medicine further, consider enrolling in a four year bachelor’s degree program.
These programs go more in depth about animals and their behavior, science, and overall healthcare.
Not only will you be able to find veterinary technician positions after graduating. But you can also work in laboratories, wildlife management, and research positions.
Just like veterinary technician programs, bachelor’s degrees open the door if you’re ever considering attending vet school.
BONUS Distance Education Degrees
This is something that many people may not know.
Online degrees have become more prevalent over the last few years. That means you can obtain a degree from the comfort of your own home.
Many veterinary medicine programs offer distance education options that include online classes and in-person clinical requirements.
How to Gain Real World Experience
Don’t forget about hands on experience.
Just because you are obtaining a degree and learning about animals in a classroom setting. Don’t forget you will need actual experience working with animals.
Most employers are not just looking at how you did in school. They want to hire someone who can actually do the job.
Gain Experience While You Still Can
Start gaining that real world experience as soon as you can.
Volunteer at your local animal shelter, intern at vet clinics, or work part time at pet stores and kennels.
There are so many opportunities for you to get your foot in the door. So take advantage of them and learn what area of animal healthcare you’re most passionate about.
Pro tip: Talk to as many professionals as you can. A lot of jobs are found through connections and networking.
Paths to Specialisation You Can Take
Did you know you can specialize once you are established in your veterinary technician career path?
Just like when you were in school, there are multiple branches you can take this career. Each branch comes with different levels of training.
Wildlife Conservation
Love helping wild animals? A career in wildlife conservation will allow you to do just that.
Jobs within this field will consist of preserving the habitats of different wild species. Or possibly helping to control and monitor their populations.
Additional education will be required for most of these positions. Many careers require you to have knowledge in ecology and/or environmental science.
Emergency and Critical Care
If you thrive under pressure, this career pathway is for you!
Working as an emergency vet technician will allow you to work hands on with animals who are in life threatening situations.
As you may have guessed, additional certifications are required to work in this field.
Veterinary Behaviour
Have you ever thought about why animals do the things they do?
Animal behaviourists work directly with pet owners, zoos, wildlife conservation facilities, and research institutions to help with animal behaviour problems.
Laboratory Animal Science
Working as a technician in a laboratory or research facility is another option for vet techs.
These positions require you to care for and assist in the healthcare of animals that are being used for scientific research.
Not only will you find jobs at pharmaceutical companies. Research labs are also hiring technicians.
Zoological Medicine
Last, but definitely not least. If you have always been fascinated with exotic animals. Consider working in zoological medicine.
This field requires you to work with non-domestic animals in places like zoos and aquariums.
Just like with wildlife conservation, this is a very competitive field. But once you make it, you’ll spend your days working with some of the coolest animals on the planet.
Finding your Pathway
Don’t get overwhelmed on choosing your pathway into becoming a wildlife career professional.
Taking thing one step at a time will make the education and training requirements feel less daunting.
Start by researching some accredited programs near you. Ask current professionals you come across about their journey and education. And don’t be scared delving into some hands on experience.
Wildlife and vet medicine need passionate individuals who care about bettering the lives of animals.
Bringing It All Together
Obtaining your veterinary technician certification is a great way to break into the world of wildlife careers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects around 14,300 openings for vet technician jobs each year through 2034. That means tons of job opportunities waiting for you!
By obtaining an associates or bachelor’s degree you are one step closer to living your dream career.
Just remember:
- Accredited degrees are your best bet.
- Take the national examination to become certified.
- Start gaining that real world experience as early as possible.
- Continue to learn and grow in your career by specializing in a field you are passionate about.
The animals are waiting for you.
Now go out there and take the first step towards your new career.
