Zoology

Career Areas

• Livestock Production:
  • Dairy Cattle
  • Beef Cattle
  • Swine
  • Equine
  • Sheep
  • Goat
  • Poultry
• Livestock Feed:
  • Production
  • Development
  • Quality Control
  • Distribution/Marketing
• Meat and Dairy Foods:
  • Production
  • Development
  • Quality Control
  • Distribution/Marketing
  • Inspection

Employers

• Cow/calf operations
• Stocker or grower programs
• Feedlots
• Grower/finisher operations
• Farrowing operations
• Farrow to finish operations
• Farriers
• Broiler production operations
• Egg production operations
• Wool companies
• Breeding firms
• Feed companies
• Feed processing plants
• Meat, poultry, dairy processors
• Extension services
• Zoos
• Inspection services
• Federal government including:
  • Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service
  • Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Drug Administration

General Information

• Develop physical stamina, comfort being outdoors and in close proximity with large and small animals, and expect to work irregular hours at times.
• Seek work experience in animal production or related animal industry through internships, summer jobs or part-time positions.
• Pursue a minor in business if interested in management or self-employment.
• Participate in related campus organizations and competition teams such as dairy, poultry and livestock judging and/or academic quadrathlon.
• Become familiar with federal job application procedures for government work.

Career Areas

• Sales
  • Livestock
  • Feed
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Agriculture Chemicals
  • Livestock Supplies
  • Equipment: Farm and Feedlot
  • Agriculture Real Estate
• Customer Service
• Management
• Promotion/Marketing
• Public Relations
• Agricultural Journalism

Employers

• Agribusinesses: livestock and feed
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Equipment and supply companies
• Food and meat processing companies
• Food distributors
• Animal health companies
• Breed organizations
• Financial institutions
• Livestock publications
• Professional associations, i.e. National Cattlemen's Beef Association

General Information

• Obtain a part-time job or internship in sales to gain experience, as these positions are often stepping stones to higher-level positions.
• Consider earning a business minor to obtain knowledge of fundamental business principles.
• Develop excellent communication, organization and problem-solving skills along with initiative.
• Take additional courses in interpersonal communication, public speaking, and journalism, if relevant.
• Prepare to work independently during irregular and/or long hours.
• Learn to work well under pressure and to be comfortable in a competitive environment.
• Demonstrate motivation to reach sales quotas while maintaining a commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Seek extensive knowledge of merchandise for sale.
• Join related student organizations and competition teams and seek leadership roles.

Career Areas

• Teaching
• Agriculture Literacy
• Non-classroom Education, i.e. Adult Agricultural Education, Young Farmer Programs
• Extension

Employers

• Schools (secondary and post-secondary)
• Extension services
• Agricultural agencies
• Agricultural communications and media firms
• Agribusinesses
• Government agencies

General Information

• Develop excellent communication skills including verbal, written and interpersonal.
• Obtain teacher certification, which varies by state, for public school opportunities.
• Secure a master’s degree for teaching at community or two-year institutions; a doctoral degree is necessary for college and university teaching.
• Gain related experience through volunteer positions, summer jobs or internships with age group of interest.
• Seek leadership roles in student organizations.
• Be prepared to live in rural communities for extension positions.

Career Areas

• Areas of Specialization:
  • Small Animal Care
  • Large Animal Care
  • Equine Medicine
  • Food Safety, Inspection, Security
  • Preventative Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Public Health
  • Laboratory Animal Medicine
  • Research

Employers

• Group or private practice
• Federal government including:
  • Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service
  • Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health
• State and local government
• Colleges of veterinary medicine
• Medical schools
• Research laboratories
• Animal food companies
• Inspection services
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Zoos
• Wildlife sanctuaries

General Information

• Research veterinary programs, take pre-vet courses to meet veterinary school requirements and prepare for the application process.
• Maintain an excellent grade point average, particularly in the sciences, and build relationships with faculty. Strong recommendations from professors are needed for professional school.
• Pursue extensive laboratory and research experience for research positions.
• Gain experience in animal health settings, zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, etc. through volunteer positions, part-time jobs or summer work. Consider working as a veterinary technician.
• Develop physical stamina, confidence working with both small and large animals, and in various weather conditions.
• Plan to work evenings, weekends, or on-call for some positions.
• Exercise close attention to detail and the ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.
• Practice strong interpersonal skills for dealing with animal owners who may be upset.
• Consider taking courses in business and communications or pursuing joint MBA/DVM programs, as self-employed veterinarians must effectively promote and manage their own businesses.
• Seek active roles in pre-vet and other related clubs.

Career Areas

• Research
• Biomedical Animal Models
• Product and Process Development
• Animal Genetic Engineering
• Genetics and Animal Breeding
• Animal Nutrition, Health, Disease Control
• Food Science

Employers

• Government laboratories
• Corporate laboratories
• Colleges and universities
• Livestock producers
• Breeding firms
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Animal health companies
• Zoos
• Wildlife sanctuaries

General Information

• Advanced degrees are often required for these positions. Discuss graduate school options with your adviser on a regular basis; prepare material for the application process.
• Pursue extensive laboratory and research experience by working in faculty laboratories through special problems courses, as a student employee or through other departmental programs.
• Develop strong attention to detail, analytical skills and the ability to persevere through specialized research projects.
• Supplement curriculum with additional science courses in relevant areas (genetics, animal behavior, microbiology).
• Seek experience in area of interest through internships, co-ops, or summer or part-time work.
• Plan to work outdoors and closely with small and large animals for some positions.
• Research post-graduate certification options through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).
• Learn federal job application procedures.