As well as working in animal welfare or as a zoologist, your in-depth knowledge of animal sciences and lab and field work equips you for a career in the environmental, agricultural, wildlife and pharmaceutical industries. Jobs are available with a wide range of organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Typical employers include:
- zoos or wildlife parks and environmental protection agencies
- animal welfare charities
- government agencies and research institutions
- medical research establishments and the National Health Service (NHS)
- environmental and animal charities
- schools, colleges, science centres, libraries and museums
- universities and research institutes
- environmental consultancies
- chemical, pharmaceutical and petroleum companies
- aquaculture and animal nutrition companies.
You could also apply the broader skills developed during your degree to many other opportunities: it is estimated that although graduate employers often specify a minimum degree classification as part of their shortlisting, approximately 70% of graduate employers do not specify that you must have studied a particular subject to work for them. However, graduate employers do highly prize skills such as strategic planning, resilience under pressure, creative problem-solving and commercial awareness which are some of the key skills you can develop during your course. Therefore, you could use your degree to access work in a multitude of sectors or industries.
Researching your career options
With such a wide range of careers open to you as a graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.
Take a look at
Prospects, TargetJobs and the professional associations websites listed below for inspiration:
Employment opportunities and employers
Graduates were in the following highly skilled job roles 15 months after graduation:
- Eco Toxicologist Scientist
- Key Account Manager
- Lecturer
Employment opportunities
- Animal Technician
- Contract Animal Technician
- Equine Groom
- Mammal Keeper
- Pest Control Surveyor
- Primate Care Staff
- Animal Attendant
- Animal Care Assistant
- Animal Keeper
- Animal Rehomer
- Large Animal Technician
- Pet Health Advisor
- Trainee Zookeeper
Employers
- Bristol Zoo Gardens
- Dogs Trust Dog School
- Monkey World
- Rentokil Initial
- Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park
- Blue Cross
- City of London
- Gables Dogs and Cats Home
- GSPCA – Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Pirbright Institute
- Premier Community Services
- Twycross Zoo
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 and 2018/19. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 24 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.