How to get a job with amphibians?

[sherri]

Hi. I hope this is a correct place to put this question. I would love to work with amphibians ( and reptiles), but don't know where to start. I would be very interested in suggestions on various kinds of jobs and what qualifications/experience I would need?
Oh,and I don't have the brains for the scientific stuff

 

[a.]

Hi there,
I am also interested in such a job, and i AM doing my science. UK university career advisers already looked it up for me and came up with almost nothing. What I thought was the best advise was to get as many relevant qualifications as possible (naturally, but easier said than done...), and consider starting by volunteering in the right places. Fun jobs are always difficult to find and are usually badly paid. Maybe knowing the right people? I wish you all the luck, and please remember me if you come across what may be relevant for me in England??

 

[cameron]

So you are going to be a Herpotologist. You will have to learn the scientific names of the species of amphibians and reptiles. Herpotology is the study of reptiles and amphibians.

You may be a naturalist too.

 

[rodrigo]

I´m studying biology and i intend to specialize in herpetology. But man it´s not easy...the career is deceitful and it will be really hard to specialize...i think i have to go to barcelona for that....
but anyway is what i want. Doubt i´ll find a job with it though xDD

 

[mike]

There was a post about this some time ago with useful information in it. Check the archives here for 'herpetology as a career' around August 2006.

 

[annmarie]

I just apply as a volunteer at my local public aquarium. I went to art school, but I love herps, Now (even though i do not get payed) I get to see/work with everything from a newt to a Beluga whale. Local public aquarium volunteer jobs are a great way to get in the door to a paying job with what you love, also volunteering at any hepatalogical societies.

Good luck

 

[sherri]

Thanks, all, for your good comments. I will now look up that thread from Aug 2006. Volunteering also sounds like a good idea, but there isn't many places in London who have herps. London Aquarium doesn't really, so the only place would be the zoo, and its nearly 2 hours from me by bus,as I don't drive. Will look into other possibilities too. Keep the ideas coming

 

[dawn]

Why not look into working for a pet store?

 

[rachel]

I got a degree in Biology and Environmental Science in the UK, but it was only 12 years afterwards that I got a job as a zoo keeper and have really specialised in the herps.

In order to become a zoo keeper, I worked in many different jobs including barns and pet shops. I also kept many pets myself. I would say that the best way to get into the field is look into internships. Some externships can be abroad, so you could look at zoos in the US and other countries for such opportunities.

I am currently in the US and we have had many people from Europe join us for a number of months. It all comes down to experience and enthusiasm, whether you are looking to work with herps in a controlled environment, or working with them in the field.

 

[jennifer]

Working with amphibians is a job that many people would like to do, but there aren't very many jobs. Rachel is a lucky one. Most of us have to be content to do it as a hobby!

 

[michael]

Their are a handful of full time commercial amphibian breeders in the U.S. Their seem to be more research jobs than when I was in school. Their is a new found emphasis on captive breeding to save threatened species. I quit college after a couple years and decided to be a machinist. I work full time as a machinist and part time breeding and selling amphibians. For me it was a sensible way to go.

 

[john]

At the risk of being a pessimist, during my junior year of college (majoring in Museum Education) the professor told the class that there were more people in the room than there would be job openings in the next two years....

Think about what aspect really grabs your attention. Is it animal care, research (lab or field), retail sales, teaching, or medicine?

I can send you websites for US zoo and lab jobs, if you like.

 

[mark]

within the UK, there are quite a few jobs - i believe any way. although not all of them work fully with herps there is always the op to work mostly with them
in the uk you can choose from
reptile and amphibians surveying - check out www.herpetology.co.uk or your local reptile and amphibian group at www.froglife.org

zoo keeper?
pet shop worker?
conservationist with most animals?
voluntary reptile stuff with herp con trust or other orgs.

i personally work as a reptile and amphibian surveyor. travelling the country basically looking for them and surveying for them, seeing their numbers and removing them from places- though this all goes towards building houses and office blocks which is the sad part of the job but at least you get to help save them in a way.

oh by the way whichever option you choose the pay will be <font color="ff0000">&#149;</font><font color="ff0000">&#149;</font><font color="ff0000">&#149;</font><font color="ff0000">&#149;</font> unless your mad clever ans run your own company then you'll do well!

Edited the froglife address from .co.uk to .org

(Message edited by aartse_tuyn on January 26, 2007)

 

[lexmiller]

I plan on teaching Biology in high school. But I also am toying with the idea of working for the Dept. of Fish and Game as a researcher. Maybe I can do both. I know my classes will be geared towards herps, and I think that California has a good research program for herps through the state department.

Working at a zoo would also be great, but as a father of 5 children I don't think I can waste anymore years in an internship.

 

[taherman]

There's actually a number of herpetologists who have a background in high school teaching. The summers off free up your time to do research and the students provide an army of field help if you think of a good way to utilize them. Plus it's a great way to expose kids to real life science and get them out of a classroom.

Good luck!
Tim

 

[jaster]

I am also in school right now for my degree in Biology focusing on Ecology and a minor in Chemistry. I talked a bunch with the head of my universities graduate studies program and he has given me some hope. I would like to get my masters here (Appalachian State University) or at UNC Asheville, both in the heart of salamander country. That is after a few years off...

The SSAR has some tips to get you on the right path.

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

 

[lexmiller]

There's actually a number of herpetologists who have a background in high school teaching. The summers off free up your time to do research and the students provide an army of field help if you think of a good way to utilize them. Plus it's a great way to expose kids to real life science and get them out of a classroom.

Good luck!
Tim

EXACTLY!!! That's what I was planning. Maybe setting up an conservation or enviroment club on campus to give me more excuses to go field herping. Maybe make a pond project...the possibilities are endless. I am already staking out places for field trips...even though this is in the far off future.

 

[fishkeeper]

The environmental club at my HS(also in Norcal) did make a pond. Turned out to be a good success and I was somewhat involved in the thing including donating some plants from out of my pond. The local newspaper did some coverage of it I think. I haven't had a chance to talk to the teacher who was the faculty advisor of the club since graduation but I did stop by to check the pond in April and was pleasantly surprised to see if overflowing with B. boreas halophilus tadpoles.