Introduction
Animal lovers can find exciting career opportunities after completing their Bsc in zoology. As per the Bureau of Labour and Statistics, global demand for zoologists is expected to grow by 3% from 2022 to 2032. Your animal behaviour, physiology, ecology, and evolution expertise is needed in various settings, such as offices, laboratories, and conservatories. Based on your preference, you can work outdoors gathering data and studying animals or work in research facilities, putting your analytical skills to good use.
This blog delves into various BSc zoology career options that can be your passport to incredible adventures with wildlife.
Top 8 BSc Zoology Jobs
A zoologist in India can earn Rs. 4,50,000 per annum on average. The pay scale varies based on your experience and job role. The major recruiters that offer zoologist employment opportunities are:
- Ministry of Environment and Forests
- Forest department of state
- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute – CMFRI
- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute – CIFRI
- Zoological Survey of India – ZSI
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research – IISER
- Indian Institute of Chemical Biology
- Indian Institute of Science for specific roles in a lab
Here are the top choices for zoology career options:
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Lecturer
After graduating with a BSc in zoology, you can choose to become a zoology teacher. You can choose to teach school or college students based on your chosen career path. If you complete B.Ed after completing your BSc in zoology, you can become a school teacher. Completing an M.Ed will qualify you to become a teacher for higher secondary kids.
If you prefer teaching and still want to be included in research opportunities, you can become a college professor. You can pursue this career after MSc Zoology. Then, you can take the NET exam if you aspire to become a lecturer or Assistant Professor. A lectureship (LS) qualification will make you eligible to work in colleges or universities. Pursuing a Ph.D will help you advance in your professor career.
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Research Scientist
Often, candidates interested in zoologist study want to become a research scientist. It is a challenging but rewarding career for those who want to improve animals’ lives. When choosing the research career path, you must pursue a zoologist master’s degree first. Completing a Ph.D will open up research assistant opportunities.
After completing your master’s education, you can start as a junior research fellow or senior research fellow, then get a job as a research assistant in research labs. Once you gain experience and expertise, you can even go abroad to explore lucrative job opportunities for zoologist.
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Government Jobs After BSc Zoology
Multiple government organisations and departments recruit zoology candidates. There are various job opportunities for zoologists. Project scientists are required by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and research fellows are highly wanted by the ZSI and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). Taking the UPSC IFoS entrance exam will open up different types of forest officer jobs with the Indian government. The forest officer will be responsible for protecting the forests and wildlife.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services manages livestock and animal healthcare. A zoologist degree will make you eligible to work as an animal husbandry officer in such departments. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) also require zoology graduates to work as scientific officers.
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Zoo Curator or Zookeeper
If you prefer working closely with animals, you can work in government-owned zoos as a zookeeper or curator. In this job role, you are responsible for caring for and managing different types of wild animals. You may also have to act as a veterinarian specialising in treating and preventing animal diseases and injuries.
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Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife biologists analyse data and conclude different types of animals and their ecology. You can work with other scientists and government agencies to create and implement conservation and management plans to protect the wildlife population. You will also be responsible for ensuring that the animal species doesn’t overpopulate or go extinct.
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Marine Biologist
Those who love working with marine animals will find the marine biologist role fulfilling as you will monitor and study the physical and chemical properties of the ocean to ensure that aquatic life is conserved. Fieldwork in this job involves collecting samples, taking measurements, conducting surveys, and exploring marine life data. Many marine biologists also work in the research field on several scientific projects and publish reports and journals.
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Animal Nutritionist
In the animal husbandry department, animal nutritionists are needed to optimise the nutritional requirements of various animals. This job may also involve research and laboratory analysis to determine the nutrient content of animal feed. Often, animal nutritionists work closely with pet owners, farmers, and ranchers to ensure proper feeding practices and nutrition for the animals.
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Environmental Scientist
Your BSc Zoology education can be useful in creating solutions for environmental problems. Multiple government agencies, nonprofit organisations, and consulting firms require environmental scientists to implement protection and restoration plans to conserve the environment. Environmental scientists are likely to be in demand soon due to climate change and ecological degradation garnering attention.
Conclusion
The BSc zoology career options have a low entry barrier because the preparation cost for becoming a zoologist is minimal. However, if you want to pursue research positions, you can do so only after acquiring a master’s degree and, preferably, a PhD. Spanning multiple sectors and specialties, zoology graduates can explore various career opportunities. These career paths allow you to positively impact the wildlife and ecosystem, addressing challenging ecological conditions.
Keen on working with animals to improve their quality of life and ecosystem? Explore the Minder blogs to gain valuable insights on different types of BSc Zoology career options to have a successful and fulfilling career studying animals.
