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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by Crotalusssp on December 5, 2008
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These days bachelors degrees are very common. Most people I know and work with have at least one masters.
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by AquaHerp on December 5, 2008
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Stay in school and pursue your degree. I also, like others, strongly advocate volunteering at the local zoo. This allows that staff to become familiar with your work ethics, strengths, dedication and attitude.
I have always leaned towards hiring those with practical experience and that I know something about. The zoo realm is quite tight and should you focus on a job opening at a zoo away from Tulsa, chances are that your curator there will know the folks in the hiring seat.
As far as pay, some zoos are rather average paying, others do in fact pay quite well with unions that rally strong for good wages and benefits. It depends on the zoo.
Good luck in your journey. I have yet to meet your curator there yet as he is kind of new to the position, but I do know another curator there at Tulsa, Paul Louderback quite well. We both used to be very active in wildlife management nationwide.
Doug Hotle
Executive Director
The Texas Zoo
a.k.a.
Curator of Herpetology
Natural Toxins Research Center
Texas A&M University
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by Tuotatis on December 5, 2008
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Hi!
And why don't You want to go to college? You can learn a lot of interesting things. A lot about herps. Or is that just waste of time? Or You are just lazy?
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by TheFifthDay on December 5, 2008
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The only rason I am hesitant at all is becuase I have been homeshooled the better part of my life, and going to a 5,000+ student school... well.. I'm just now sure how I can take that.
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by Rob_Carmichael on December 5, 2008
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You can't look at it like that - w/in a large university you will have a small nucleus of friends, professors, "hangin' places", etc. Don't use homeschooling as an excuse...if you do, you'll have a hard time making it in the real world.
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by TheFifthDay on December 5, 2008
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I try not to, but it is hard to tell myself that. I'll suck it up and go to college. I am just wondering if the 2 year Associates Degree is enough..
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by BobH on December 5, 2008
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I might get some static from some here but you are making college out to be a bad experience, while for me my college days, especially those in grad school were some of the best times of my life. Lots of students who get out and into the "real" world can't wait to get back in school. Everything learned in college is not in the text books. Give it a chance.
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by earthguy on December 5, 2008
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For what you want to do the AD is not enough. If you are worried about how you will socialize at college, how do you expect to work in a field that requires human interaction?
Rob, while I agree with you for the most part about online colleges, I teach an entire AD online. I use a variey of techniques to make the experience as 'college like' as possible. A good online experience is beter than a bad face to face experience. :)
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by Rob_Carmichael on December 6, 2008
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Joshua, it's good to see an on-line course done right. But, I think you'll agree that w/out that face to face professor-student-fellow student interactions, the college experience is severely diminished; particularly in a field based or lab based course. On line courses should really be taken by working adults or people with circumstances that prevent them from traveling or attending classes at a college of university. Homeschool would be just about the weakest excuse I could think of which I think you alluded to.
Bottom line:
1) Go to college and get a bachelor's degree (an Associates, though a good start, will not open the necessary doors for a career in herps). If the opportunity presents itself, consider a masters and who knows, maybe even a PhD...hell, if I can do it, anyone can as I was by no means the poster child for being a good student. College is a marathon - just stay focused on the finish line.
2) NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
3) Volunteer at a zoo, nature center or museum and show them that you can do the job, be a team player, work well with that particular system and prove that you are a valuable asset who is putting financial gain far behind the opportunity to be a part of that place. Anyone pursuing this profession for financial gain better get their heads checked!...I've done well but when I compare myself to friends who are in the private or corporate sector, there's no comparison. But I wouldn't trade it for anything - there's nothing better than waking up in the morning and looking forward to going to work - in my case, I walk 20 feet and I'm there:-)
OH YEAH, one more word of advice.....
4) WORK YOUR TAIL OFF and never think you know it all or come off that way towards people you work with (no one will care and no one will be impressed)!!!!
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RE: Working with reptiles without years of college
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by hapkidocrochunter on December 6, 2008
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i totally agree that college is a marathon. i am 25 years old and i have a 4 year old daughter. I am currently seeking a B.S. then grad. school, and working full time. It is hard, I totally should have staid in right after highschool, but life comes at you fast sometimes. I too am seeking a career with herps, maybe at a zoo, but mainly I want to work with at a university and do reasearch in the field with the worlds most venomous snakes. I am currently working with a mentor with his venomous snakes, all native. (We live in AZ)But I love the crotes! But anyways, you just have to stay focused on the finish line.
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