Use your love for animals to become a wild animal veterinarian
A lot of people want to work with animals. However, becoming a wild animal veterinarian is a difficult and demanding job that requires much more that simple love for animals. The number of veterinarian schools and collages is limited and thus veterinary jobs are very competitive. Good grades are not enough to be able to enroll in a veterinary school. You have to have a background in biology and a solid experience with working with animals. If you are truly devoted to becoming a wild animal veterinarian, you can achieve this goal by following some essential steps and guidelines.
Instructions
1. Decide which college or university you wish to enroll to. Research all veterinary schools in your country. Unlike medical schools, veterinary medicine schools are rare and quite competitive. Choose a school that has a broad wild animal program dealing with this specific area. Find out what are the possibilities of employment for prospective students and if the school has an employment contract, grant or program connected to another wild animal organization.
2. Study and review all your science subjects particularly chemistry and biology. Study mathematics, as well as veterinary courses involve several mathematics classes. Attend additional classes to gain more knowledge and experience in the different areas of science. Mathematics, chemistry and biology are the building blocks of zoology and wild animal veterinary medicine so you will have to acquire an exceptional level of skill when it comes to these subjects.
3. Gain experience working with wild animals. The best way to do this is to apply as a volunteer or even an intern at the nearest zoo or a wildlife park. Not only you will be able to understand working with wild animals first hand, you will also be able to ask the employees about your future career or even for recommendations. The sooner you start working with wild animals, the better. Always maintain a strong working relationship. You may be able to apply for a permanent position after you get your degree.
4. Work as an intern at a local wildlife museum. Working in a zoo, nature or wildlife reserve will enhance your practical skills, but working in a museum will improve your theoretical knowledge of wild animals. Both are very important parts of your experience and crucial factors when applying to a wild animal college program.
5. Prepare for and pass all the tests required for enrolling into a veterinary college, specifically in the wild animal program. Most of the tests are common for all colleges, so it is essential to have additional tests, diplomas or certificates that set you apart from other applicants. Make sure to have papers that prove your work experience in local zoos, reserves, parks or museums.
6. Complete the veterinary course. Make sure to focus on specific wild animal programs. Try to acquire as much practical work experience while you are studying. Apply to summer school programs and visit other veterinary colleges, wildlife reserves, zoos and parks. Visit the library, wildlife conventions and museums and even watch wild animal shows online to keep up with the latest developments in treating wild animals.
7. Pursue a higher degree or specialization in a specific area of veterinary medicine that focuses on wild animals. This will increase your chances of getting a job as a wild animal veterinarian.
8. Find a job as a wild animal veterinarian. Use your connections from your previous internships and volunteer work. Check job openings in wildlife research centers all over the world, nature reserve vet stations, zoological and marine parks and wildlife health facilities in zoos.
Tags: wild animal, wild animals, animal veterinarian, working with, veterinary medicine, wild animal veterinarian, with wild