I am senior studying Animal Behavior and wish to pursue a career in Zookeeping and/or training. I currently work part-time at a doggy daycare that is fun, but not ideal and doesn't pay a ton, but I can work here full-time post graduation I am told. I am applying to many zoos across the country, but don't meet the experience requirements they are looking for as I have never done held a keeping position/internship. In college I have been an animal technician for a bird lab, done research and worked hands on with primates at a lab, and led a research project on grizzly bears at a well-known zoo nearby. So I have a lot of research experience, but it is overlooked as it lacks animal husbandry/operant conditioning training, both heavily desired.
Majority of zoo internships are unpaid for 3-6 month commitments working typically 32-40 hours a week. I have found some that are 24 hours a week, so I could get another part-time job but I doubt that would pay for rent/other bills. For medical reasons, I don't think I can work more than 50 hours a week. There have been internships that offer housing, as well as a small stipend, but the housing is always public and don't allow dogs, which I of course own a skittish one and have no one close enough to take care of her for 3-6 months.
I am seeking advise on routes I should take or other jobs/methods of gaining side cash (such as plasma donations) by June (or September). When I graduate I am expecting to have around $1500 saved up, and I can live in my current place for $700 for the whole summer (rent is usually that much per month where I live) and work full-time to save up more.
This is my first post here, sorry for excessive detail or not including certain points. Thank you.
Submitted March 10, 2018 at 03:56AM by ShakaZula http://ift.tt/2IjeqXw
