Should I be a zoo vet?

Leaf21
Fri, 24 May 2013 23:25:38 +0000

So, I really love animals. Ever since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to work with them and being a vet at a zoo would definitely be my dream job. I’ve got a vague idea of what the path to becoming one is- vet school and then a residency at a zoo and getting certified. Any other info on what becoming one entails though is welcome! However, on the other hand, jobs at a real major zoo seem few and far between, since people can work at the same job until they retire, and there’s probably an overabundance of applications at the same time, so I’m feeling really conflicted as to whether or not to follow my dream. I don’t want to waste my life getting certified only to wind up not even having a job because there aren’t enough jobs. So I guess my questions are:

a) Can anyone who has experience in this field give me a scope of what this job is really like?
b) Am I right about my assumptions on competitiveness in the field, or should I try and go for it anyways?
c) Any info relating to being a zoo vet at all: pay scales, what growth looks like for this job etc.

I know most people say to “do what you want” when it comes to picking a career, but I don’t want to choose a career that I may wind up not getting a job in anyways.

Also, sort of on a side note, I’ve been so busy with AP test studying etc., that I completely forgot to send in volunteer applications etc. for summer ECs. So does anybody have any ideas for animal ECs that I could sign up for last minute to do this summer? Most shelters and wildlife rehab places are full. I also have equestrian experience so horse activities would be cool too.