What can I do with my animal behaviour and welfare/zoological sciences degree?

Studying an Animal Behaviour and Welfare/Zoological Sciences degree provides you with a foundation in areas such as ecology, evolution, microbiology, physiology, nutrition, health and disease. Specialist skills such as animal physiology and metabolism, and how it can be applied to promote health, reproduction and growth in a range of animal species. Development of practical experience of modern laboratory and field research techniques provides you with a range of technical skills and experience. In the final year the research study element incorporates design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data. This significant and complex piece of work will allow you to combine a broad range of skills developed on the course and apply them to your specialist research, to showcase your potential for further research or stepping into the world of animal conservation. In addition to this you will also gain a strong set of transferable skills, including:

• analytical skills - to understand, interpret and manipulate complex scientific data and statistics
• data-handling skills - to record, collate, analyse and interpret data using appropriate techniques and equipment
• written communication skills - to produce reports and write up research projects
• presentation and oral communication skills - to present research findings and make presentations in a clear, succinct way
• accuracy and attention to detail through undertaking complex laboratory observations and measurements
• project management skills - organising and undertaking research projects and experiments (including budgeting, contingency planning and time management)
• a good understanding of information technology
• the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

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:

• Prospects – What can I do with my animal science and management degree 
                      What can I do with my Zoology degree
• Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
• RHS
• ZLS
• RSPCA

Employment Opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth Animal Behaviour and Welfare graduates told us they were doing six months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as steppingstones to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.

• Management Graduate
• Veterinary Auxiliary
• Voluntary keeper intern
• Partnerships and Scholarships Graduate Intern
• Graduate Management Trainee
• Chemistry Analyst
• Park Ranger
• Part time trainee tutor assessor in Animal care
• Freelance Editor

Employers

• Rentokil Initial
• Fitzpatrick Referrals
• Pets Corner
• Shaldon Wildlife Trust
• ALS Environmental
• Paxton Park
• Achievement Training Ltd
• Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Some of the careers chosen by graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers the following postgraduate study options related to Animal Welfare and Zoological Sciences:

• MSc Zoo Conservation Biology
• MSc Sustainable Aquaculture
• MSc Marine Conservation
• MA Environmental Humanities
• MRes Marine Biology

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your particular situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable post-graduate programme;

• Find a Masters
• Find a PhD 
• Prospects

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access our 24/7 online resources.

There is a wide range of support available from skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

• effective career planning
• job hunting techniques
• finding part-time work
• CVs and interviews
• mastering LinkedIn
• and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service, however they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn’s alumni tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

• Search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
• click on ‘Alumni’
• filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool click on LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile, click on the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops.

Gain work experience

Undertaking work experience in your first and second years will help you stand out from the crowd when the time comes for you to complete applications for graduate employment and further study. Work experience develops valuable skills and qualities that employers are looking for and is essential for many roles. It can also help you to confirm or rule out particular career choices. Furthermore, experience in the workplace can bring you into contact with people who may be able to assist you at the beginning of your career.

You have plenty of options open to you. You could apply for a placement year, work part-time around your studies, undertake volunteering or approach organisations directly to negotiate short periods of work experience. Some organisations offer paid internships over the summer or of one year’s duration.

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union also offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities

Clubs & Societies   

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to animal behaviour and welfare or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.