Photo by edgeplot
A career as a wildlife biologist conjures up visions of tracking Sumatran tigers in Indonesia or climbing trees to collect data on Bald Eagle nestlings. This job appeals to those who are passionate about the outdoors, and to those who feel more than a little wild themselves. But aside from the romance, what can you really expect from this career?
There are many types of wildlife biologists. Some sit at a desk all day. If you prefer a job in the field, look into field biologist or research biologist positions.
Education
Fifty years ago if you knew the wilderness and had a passion for hunting, you could’ve walked out of high school and easily procured a job. Not anymore. Today, the educational requirements require a minimum of a bachelors degree, and many agencies won’t consider hiring you if you don’t have a masters degree for research biologist positions.
When researching specific schools, dig deep to see what they have to offer you. Do they have a strong research program where there are internship opportunities? What kind of job can you expect from a four year college degree? Some schools offer very specific programs tailored to wildlife management and wildlife biologist positions, while others offer more generalized programs such as Environmental Studies. Take a long range view of their program and what it has to offer you.
Field Experience
The key to getting a permanent position as a wildlife biologist is racking up as much diversity, or perhaps, specificity, in field experience opportunities as you can. It all depends on where your interests lie. If you are in school look into the various jobs that master’s students in your program of study might offer. Many times they need apprentices in order to help them with their research, and can pay you a small stipend. Don’t neglect volunteer positions either, you can add these work skills to your resume. Do a good job and you will have an excellent reference that you could add to your resume.
Communication Skills
While you are in school think about taking courses in writing, journalism, or education. These classes may set you ahead of the pack. Many people think that dealing with the public is a remote possibility when you have a job in a faraway place as a field biologist. Think again. The public is hungry for your knowledge and expertise, and they want to hear what you have to say. Also, many people are very opinionated when it comes to managing wildlife populations and will want you to consider their ideas. You will often be in the position to educate the public about sound scientific research and practices. If you can demonstrate that knowledge to an employer, you are golden.
How Much Will I Make?
You probably won’t get rich as a biologist, and when you’re just starting out you might not make much more then minimum wage. But it’s a passion for the work and freedom in the field that will give you the greatest job satisfaction. State agencies tend to pay the most, while the federal government’s payscale is lower. Non-profit agencies, such as The Nature Conservancy, also have limited budgets and do not pay well.
Where You Can Find Work
Competition for jobs is fierce. Yet you will be surprised to learn that there are a wide variety of places to find work. Consulting firms such as Griffith Wildlife Biology, hire wildlife biologists for specific projects. In America, look into state government job listings. The federal government also hires wildlife biologists. Don’t neglect opportunities closer to home either, such as local conservation agencies.
Another good source of job opportunities is through the Wildlife Society. Also, check out Ranger 146’s site, where you can get the lowdown on the life of a seasonal wildlife biologist along with job listings. If you want to work overseas, check into World Wildlife Fund or International Wildlife Coalition. But don’t stop there. You will have to root around like a wild boar in the muck to uncover a good position.
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25 Comments... join the discussion!
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Good article.
I taught wildlife management for many years. You might like to see my notes on such work at http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/rhgiles/modernwildfauna/yourfuture.htm
There is more on future possibilities within http://www.RuralSystem.com and my free Internet book linkable there.
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I worked as a range ecologist for 13 years with the U.S. Forest Service, and although not quite as “sexy” as the wildlife title, my duties included helping re-introduce elk into the Bruneau River Basin in NE Nevada, assisting the state game agencies with bighorn sheep transplants and gathering wild horses. Another angle to get in the great outdoors with less competition. All those critters need habitat and food and my job was to make certain they had the right conditions to survive. I found the pay very livable and lived in some absolutely gorgeous locations. Just a thought….
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Thanks. I will defiantly consider doing that. It sounds nice and interesting.
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Thanks for adding that Chyrstine.
There are a lot of different positions (ecologist, ornitologist, etc.) that perform essentially the same tasks as a traditional wildlife biologist does.
That was something I should have mentioned.
Ellen
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I am currently enrolled at a university in the south and I am seeking a degree in Biology with a focus in wildlife. Right now, as I type, I am having a hard time in Chemistry, so how much chemistry do you have to know to become a wildlife biologist. I have heard from little to everything you do is chemistry.
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I am a highschool student and I want to be a wildlife biologist. I would like to do field work. I am taking as many science classes as I can. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me out? I need as much help as i can get.
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Hi I don’t have any advice because I am only 10, but I really want to be a wildlife bioligist so maybe you could give me a little info.You can reach me at “chipmunkgrimes11@gmail.com.
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Union University (Jackson, TN) has a major in Conservation Biology that can lead to certification as a Wildlife Biologist. We’d love to talk to any interested students!
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hey thank you for posting this. i hope u dont mind if i use it for my high school report. its sounds so cool to be a wildlife biologist!
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Ive always wanted to work with animals and working in the field as a wildlife biologist is my dream.
But I live in the UK so i don’t know if they will have many places to do the courses in university
I have to take my options first though :L↵ -
I am now choosing between a Vet and a Wildlife Biologist.
I dont know what to choose, but I want my career to be corelate with animals.
Anyone can give me any advices?
I also have a lot of questions, so I would appreciate it if anyone can step up to help me out a bit =(
I need help! Im a senior! FAST
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I think one thing to think about in choosing between a vet and a wildlife biologist is whether you prefer to spend more time outside in the field or in the clinic. The wildlife biologist would be more involved in the interaction among animals in the wild, whereas a vet, particularly a small animal vet, would deal primarily with pets, although there are vets that deal with large animals and vets that will work with fish and wildlife agencies. Hope that helps! Do you have some colleges in mind?
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Hey, this websire is great! I am really interested in being a wildelife biologist. It is my dream to help animals and be around them. For those of you who already know alot about being a wildlife biologist, it would be cool if you could tell me more.
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I am a college professor and I trained to do field work in the tropics and now advise students who are interested in careers like this. The most successful candidates for such a career path have a passion for wild places and creatures and that is reflected in deep experience with a particular place, or a particular taxa. Being crazy about birds, insects, plants, frogs, reptiles, fish, moss OR any group of organisms or habitat to the point that you actually have a working vocabulary and taxonomic knowledge is the ticket to such a career. My recommendation….get outside and learn something about living organisms on your own and then apply to college or graduate school with a “toolbox” of knowledge.
(By the way, chemistry is important to understanding how plants defend themselves from herbivores, how herbivores choose food, how soils develop, water quality and so much!)↵ -
Prof. Am hadril.I am jst trying to find out how challenging is the wildlife biology course and how wide is it? And which college are you are at?
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Hi That was really a nice post!!!
My self engineered in Information Technology field based in India & do not have any eductaion back ground related to Environment , But I have strong desire to work for the Nature & Wild life Conservation & Research programs…
Can you kindly sugeest me or guide me how I can go forward in this field? , & It will be great help if you can provide information for Indian Sub Continent.
Thanks in advance for the kind support & valueable information!!!!
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You guys are doing a great thing helping people like me with little knwolegde about wildlife biology.you have lightend up my candle and continue doing so.
From ZAMBIA↵ -
What a great post!
I spend a lot of time in the National Forests of Colorado, looking at (and esepecially looking for) animals. It is the excelent stewardship of the biologists at the state Division of Wildlife that creates the abundance and diversity I see.
And to think that all that wildlife is managed through the money raised by hunting licenses, no tax dollars!
A big thank you to wildlife biologists every where.
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thanks so much for this information! I am a junior in college and I am searching for graduate schools, and also trying to see where exactly I can work, and what it will be like! I’ve looked into the World Wildlife Fund and the IWC but thanks so much on the heads up about state vs federal!
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hey my name is Kelsey and i really loved your post; I also along with most of the people who have commented you want to be a wildlife biologist. I am from florida but i love traveling, And on some of the links you had most of them explain how you move alot, Which just gives me another reason to believe that a position in wildlife bology would fit me perfectly.The only down fall is i dont realy know how to perpare for doing so, I am only in highscool do you think anyone could possibly give me some advice on how to perpare, Or maybe some good colleges to look into.
Thanks so much
*********Kelsey↵ -
Thank you for the information. You live the life I’m hoping for, wildlife biologist, writing and photography. I’m looking at a few colleges but it’s difficult to determine exactly what they offer just from their websites. How often do you travel in your job as a wildlife biologist? And do you travel to a variety of places? And is there a possibility to focus on one specific animal?
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I loved reading everyone’s comments.
I’m in high school right now and i adore animals. I want to have a career that studies them and maybe even interact with them. But my biggest problem is that i refuse to hurt an animal. I would hate to do tests or anything that might hurt them. If it’s not right to do to a human being, I don’t want to do it to them. So would I be able to be a wildlife biologist?
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Am from Kenya and i have been in Ornithologist for the last 9 Years.Wildlife biology is quite exiting, when in the field tracking birds i always wonder ‘is this my job?’ and the answer is some people are not crazy enough to chase the feathered creatures hence.To me it is all about peace of mind that brings satisfaction.
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I’ve been wanting 2 b a wildlife bio 4 a while.
It’s nice 2 know that others feel the same way.Chavah
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