If you think you might like the idea of working with animals, or studying animals, or conserving animals, you’re not alone. As animals ourselves, most of us tend to have an inherent fascination with other animals (especially other vertebrate animals) and many people like the idea of a career that involves animals. Fortunately, those careers do exist. Zoologists may work in places like zoos, or for wildlife agencies at the state or federal level, or for private companies, which can range from Ducks Unlimited and the Audubon Society, to various ecological consulting firms, and many zoologists simply work in academia (that is, they’re university professors). For students that envision themselves working with bears, wolves, tigers, whales, or anything else that seems especially cool, first know that it’s possible to actually have a job that involves those organisms (usually in a very limited capacity), but also know that there are very few of those jobs available. Many more jobs can be had working with invertebrates (especially insects and animals that are parasites of humans or our livestock), or broad groups of animals (like fish), than with specific types of animals (like Great White Sharks, for example). If you’re interested in a career in zoology, go for it, but know that it’s competitive and you should seek to get lots of experience outside the classroom, and to be flexible, patient, and realistic when it comes to a first job. Many students with a Zoology Emphasis also choose to continue their education in graduate school, following completion of their Bachelor’s degree at UWP.

There are many benefits to choosing UWP for your undergraduate education if you plan to pursue a career as a zoologist. In addition to excellent teachers and small class sizes, which are the hallmark of our Biology Program in general, you will have the opportunity to take many courses that will provide you with practical zoological skills (like surveying birds in Ornithology class or live-trapping small mammals in Mammalogy class). You will also have an academic advisor that will make you aware of a variety of opportunities for gaining valuable experiences related to your career goals, many of which can come in the form of paying summer jobs (especially for students willing to live outside of the area during the summer). For more details on the Zoology Emphasis, including required courses and advanced electives, click here.