Working in wildlife conservation is an exciting and rewarding way to make a difference in preserving the environment for generations to come. For those who have a passion for protecting and preserving the earth’s animal populations, becoming a wildlife conservationist could be the perfect career path. While the job is demanding and challenging, there are several steps you can take to ensure you’re on the right track to achieving your goal. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to become a wildlife conservationist and the various qualifications, certifications, and skills you’ll need to begin a successful career. From understanding the different types of conservation to learning how to make a difference on a local, national, and global level, everything you need to know to become a successful wildlife conservationist will be discussed in this blog post.
How to become a wildlife conservationist
The actions you can take to become a wildlife conservationist are as follows:
1. Complete undergraduate training
To become a wildlife conservationist, one must first finish their undergraduate studies. Candidates with undergraduate degrees in a related field, such as biology, marine biology, chemistry, environmental science, or environmental studies, may be preferred for many wildlife conservation jobs. You may decide to enroll in a more specialized degree program, such as one in wildlife biology, zoology, natural resources, agriculture science, sustainable aquaculture, or fisheries biology, if one is offered at your university. If you want to work in conservation legislation and social activism, you could major in politics, economics, or sociology and supplement your coursework with environmental studies or courses in related fields as a minor.
2. Research different wildlife conservationist careers
There are many types of wildlife conservation careers to consider. Early consideration of your specific career interests can assist you in making wise choices regarding the educational experiences you should pursue, the skills you should acquire, and how to manage your professional development to help you reach your goal. A few different types of wildlife conservationists to consider include:
3. Gain professional experience
Gaining experience in your field of interest can be beneficial after you’ve made that decision. This will improve your resume and provide you with the chance to learn more about potential wildlife conservationist careers. Find an internship as one way to gain work experience. Internships can be for a set period of time or be unpaid. If the company likes you and your work, an internship may occasionally result in a paid position.
Ask to shadow a conservationist instead if you’d like to gain some of the same professional experience with a shorter commitment. Additionally, you can submit an application for an entry-level position as a conservationist with a government agency, wildlife sanctuary, or political campaign. Searching for jobs that complement your undergraduate training may be beneficial.
4. Consider completing a masters degree
While most jobs in wildlife conservation require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, some wildlife conservationists opt to complete a master’s degree in order to expand their knowledge in a particular field of study. This can be helpful for those who want to pursue advanced conservationist careers in fields like sustainable policy and legislation or environmental engineering. A few advanced degree programs that you might consider include:
You can start applying for jobs as a wildlife conservationist once you have finished your educational and professional preparation.
What is a wildlife conservationist?
Protecting wild animals and their natural habitats is the responsibility of a wildlife conservationist, also referred to as a conservationist or conservation scientist. By doing this, environmentalists contribute to ensuring the survival of the planet’s natural biodiversity. These professionals may work with local, state or federal governments. Some work at national parks, aquariums or zoos. Others work primarily in social advocacy, education or scientific research.
These wildlife conservationists may conduct research on conservation techniques and the effects of human life on the environment as part of their work. This could enhance their comprehension of the relationship between wildlife, habitats, and people. For instance, this study could involve sampling and testing soil and water to determine the extent of pollution in natural habitats. The management of habitats like parks, forests, and oceans can be done with the assistance of wildlife conservationists. Other wildlife conservationist duties might include:
How to get a job in the field
Here are some actions you can take after preparing for a job in wildlife conservation that might help you land one:
1. Expand your professional network
Developing your professional network is the first step in the process of locating a job in the field of wildlife conservation. This can open up new connections and opportunities for you. You could get in touch with former instructors, mentors, and classmates to discuss the field in order to broaden your professional network. To connect with like-minded conservation professionals, think about going to relevant lectures and events or getting involved in volunteer work for the environment. By creating or updating a professional networking profile or joining online groups, you can also increase your network online.
As your network grows, let your new contacts know that you’re considering a career in wildlife conservation. It’s possible that one of them will be aware of a position or a company you could join. Ask the people you meet how they got started in their careers or if they are aware of any companies that are hiring.
2. Perform an informational interview
Conducting an informational interview is another excellent way to advance your job search. Connecting with a specialist in the field of wildlife conservation is necessary for this. You can also locate a person who works in the section of the field you are interested in if you know what it is.
By phone, email, or through a mutual acquaintance, you can get in touch with this person and let them know you’re interested in a career in wildlife conservation and would like to speak with them about their professional experiences. If they agree, you can schedule a call or make plans to meet in person. Here are some good inquiries you could make during an informational interview:
3. Improve your skills
You can prepare for a career in wildlife conservation by developing your skill set, which will also help recruiters take notice of you and your resume. By reading books and exercising, you can independently advance your knowledge and abilities. To add new skills to your resume, you could also decide to enrol in a training program, seminar, or other type of training opportunity. Some useful skills for a wildlife conservationist include:
4. Research job opportunities
You can research job openings to find out more about the positions that are available, the qualifications that hiring managers are looking for, and any requirements you might have for applying. Utilizing a website for professional networking or an online job board, such as Indeed, can be helpful when looking for jobs. By selecting the field of wildlife conservation and then adding other criteria like location, salary, or experience level, you can use these tools to look for relevant job openings.
You can visit the organization’s website to learn more about their work, mission, and culture when you come across an intriguing opportunity. By doing so, you can make sure that the business aligns with your interests and career goals. Knowing more about the company can also assist you in coming up with a well-thought-out response to the frequent interview and application questions, “Why do you want to work for us?” and “Why did you apply for this job?”
5. Apply for jobs
You might be prepared to submit an application after looking into job opportunities. To do so, begin by reading the application instructions carefully. The guidelines may specify which materials to include and how to submit applications to the organization. It can be helpful to carefully read the job description and application instructions because each organization may have a different application process and may use candidates’ ability to follow instructions as a criterion for selection.
A one-page cover letter and a resume are typically required application materials. You can highlight the skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate by using the job description and the research you’ve done on the company. References, transcripts, or written responses to short answer or essay questions are all possible additions to the application package.
6. Perform well at the interview
The hiring manager might ask you to participate in an interview if they like your application. You can conduct a job interview over the phone, through a video chat, or in person. Consider researching typical interview questions before your interview and preparing your responses. Additionally, you can ask a friend or coworker to assist you in practicing by simulating the interview and posing questions to you. To aid in your preparation, the following are a few typical wildlife conservationist interview questions:
How to get a career in wildlife conservation | Land your dream animal job! (5 step guide)
FAQ
What degree is best for wildlife conservation?
You need a bachelor’s degree in a biological science field, such as wildlife science, ecology, or environmental science, to start a career as a wildlife biologist. Typical wildlife conservation courses like environmental law, wildlife management, and environmental ethics will be included in these.
What does it take to be a conservationist?
You must have at least a bachelor’s degree to work as a conservationist. A degree in forestry, agronomy, agricultural science, biology, rangeland management, or environmental science is what most conservationists aim to achieve. Some people continue on to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree.
What does wildlife conservationist do?
A wildlife conservationist is a conservation scientist whose work is specifically focused on the protection of wildlife. Through fieldwork, laboratory research, consulting, or policy advocacy, they may accomplish this.
Is Wildlife Conservationist a job?
Wildlife conservationists frequently hold positions in local, state, and federal government and work to protect the habitats of plants and animals. Their work entails taking care of and protecting wildlife systems in addition to studying soil and water.
