It's so cool that you get to be a zookeeper!! I've always wanted to do that, and still hope I can someday. How does one go about getting that job?
SO this is gonna be probably a confusing response but I’m gonna try my hardest to explain
I’m basically in school to be a zookeeper, but I AM currently a zookeeper all the way through. It’s a 5 semester program where you take animal related classes and work as a legitimate zookeeper (I’m at the zoo 6 days a week) so you have the qualifications needed to work in other zoos. (it’s also an AZA-accredited zoo, which is pretty damn awesome)
so that aside, what I have gathered is that zoos look for experience and a bachelor’s degree. a lot of job listings I’ve read look for at least 2 years experience. sometimes in other AZA zoos, some zoos don’t care where your experience comes from. but a big thing on most zookeeper positions is a bachelor’s degree- usually something like biology, zoology, the likes of that.
BUT don’t lose hope there (I know that’s a lot of things to do just to work with animals)- a good way into a specific zoo is volunteering regularly and internships. a lot of people get hired at whatever zoo they were volunteering/interning at after being a consistent part of the team for some time.
I hope the whole zoo school part makes sense!! If you have any more questions feel free to ask
