How far would studying zoology at uni get you?

Studying zoology could literally take you around the world, if that\’s what you want. And it doesn\’t mean you have to work in a field involving zoology, either. That\’s because during your studies you\’d have acquired and developed skills that many businesses are looking for. For example, you\’d have the ability to gather information, analyse it and convey your analysis effectively both verbally and in writing. So if you suddenly decide animal biology and behaviour doesn\’t appeal as much as it did at the start of your studies, don\’t despair – plenty of other roles are out there, waiting for your application.

But when the time comes for you to face your interviewers, remember that they\’re looking for more than just a zoology degree. Once they\’ve convinced you that the job is right for you, it\’s up to you to convince them that you\’re the right person for the job. And how to do that? First of, you\’ll need to be able to show them that you\’ve been putting the theory of what you\’ve been studying into practice, through membership of relevant societies at university… and even outside uni.

Now that employers are placing an ever-increasing emphasis on the importance of work experience, you\’ll need to show them that you\’ve been working in a related field – whether paid or unpaid, it makes little difference. But if you can show how your expertise has benefited the people you were working for, then that\’s going to stand you in very good stead. And don\’t forget that you\’ll have to prove you have the motivation and ability to work hard from the start of the working day to the finish… and sometimes beyond.

Because employers are now looking for work experience as well as qualifications, you might want to choose a four-year sandwich degree over the usual three-year degree course. The third year of your sandwich degree would take the form of a work placement, and the good news is there\’s no reason for you to stay in the UK for that year. So it\’s distinctly possible that studying zoology really would take you anywhere you want!

And once you\’ve gained your zoology degree, you\’d be qualified to work for a wide range of employers, like universities and government research institutions, water authorities, wildlife trusts, environmental protection agencies, and, of course, zoos!

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How far would studying zoology at uni get you?