If you are an animal lover, then perhaps you’ve already spent some time considering the prospect of channelling your passion here into a new and exciting career path. There are plenty of options out there for the animal enthusiasts amongst you from a veterinarian to a pet adoption counsellor or even a guide dog trainer. For many the idea alone of ditching the desk job and working with animals may be a dream come true; but have you ever considered the opportunities that exist which mean not just giving back to animals back but giving back to the planet? Let’s take a look at some of the most eco-friendly animal lover jobs that open up the prospect of saving the earth in your 9-5.
Marine Biologist
Marine biologists work to study sea life; this includes aquatic plants as well as all sea dwelling animals while considering the environment upon which all marine life depends. A marine biologist focuses on developing an understanding of sea life and works on determining and predicting alterations in the ecosystems. There are many different roles within the sector of marine biology from research to lab work and more. You could find yourself scuba diving to research endangered organisms or examining creatures exposed to pollution. Routes into the profession typically involve a degree in marine biology or a science-related undergrad followed by a marine-based postgrad. For anyone with an interest in sea creatures and who is passionate about the planet (plus is open to a few scuba diving and travelling perks), this might just be the calling you didn’t even know you had!
Zoologist
Zoologists study all kinds of animals from mammals to reptiles and birds too. They work with animals both in the wild and in captivity in the form of zoos. As a zoologist, you would be focusing on everything from behaviour to anatomy and classification as well as evolution. Roles within zoology are broad, but some typical work might involve, for instance, the conservation of endangered animals and their habitats a well as rehabilitating animals back into the wild! Zoologists generally hold a bachelor’s degree, but if your unsure of whether you are ready to make that kind of commitment yet, there are also zoology courses available that focus on pre-degree level certificates for those wanting to take the initial steps toward such a role in the future. Zoologists are free to specialise in particular animals if they wish, if you’re a bird lover for instance ornithology (birds only) might be right up your street!
Bee Keeper
Beekeepers look after colonies of honeybees in hives; they keep the hives healthy and harvest honey. They generally work as part of a small business or on farms. You do not need set qualifications to become a beekeeper, and often, people tend to begin beekeeping as a hobby or side project to learn the honeybee ropes! In some areas of the world, the honeybee relies much upon the help of the beekeeper to survive as wild bee colonies are fast moving toward extinction, which would have adverse effects on the environment. (If you’re not scared of bees- you could be taking on a pretty earth-friendly role here!)
Animal Nutritionist
The role of an animal nutritionist is to promote an understanding of the implications that diet has on the wellbeing, general health and behaviour of animals. These roles are often found in the agricultural industry, yet they can also work with vets or with wildlife rehabilitators in order to help care properly for wildlife and introduce creatures back into their natural habitats. As an animal nutritionist, you would be performing tasks like formulating food rations based on assessments of an individual animal’s condition and needs. Most entry routes also involve a science-based degree to work towards this role. So if you’re a lover of all creatures great and small (plus your nutrition savvy), this might be something that you’d be great at!
There’s much to be said for work that gives back to animals and to our earth (and animal lovers are just the perfect candidates here)! Choosing a career path or a career change is best not a decision to be taken lightly, but if you follow your passions and your instincts, you can’t go too far wrong. Whatever ideas and dreams may be buzzing around in your head right now it’s probably well worth a little research and thought and who knows what the animal world might have in store for you and your future!
