How do you pursue a career in wildlife conservation?

I am interested in a career in wildlife conservation, but I am not sure how to pursue it. What type of major should i major in? Are there any colleges that a particularly good in this area? Will it be difficult to find a job?How do you pursue a career in wildlife conservation?
All state land grant universities should have a wildlife degree in wildlife science or biology.





Sometimes wildlife is combined with the college or school of forestry.





Very Important, make sure the college鈥檚 wildlife program is professionally certified and accredited.





Jobs are not easily found in every region, therefore if you pursue this occupation you must be willing to relocate in most situations. Most jobs are government jobs managing government property to manage game populations and enforce game laws. You can also check your state personnel website for further information on duties and salary.How do you pursue a career in wildlife conservation?
Wildlife biology is a major, or a branch of a major at many universities. I think Montana and Idaho universities have good programs. It should be reasonable to find a job, since the environmental fields are always growing and hiring. You may need to gain some experience by working in an off-shoot of the business, like habitat research or restoration, parks management, etc. It also won't pay well to start. Good luck.
Luckily, there are schools in which you can do this, usually, its Wildlife Management and Research major, with a conservation biology minor. It used to be what I was in school for, but I switch my minor to captive wildlife cause I liked the classes better. (more inside the animal vs outside population..)


I am from the midwest (Minnesota) and my primary choice for school was Northland College in Ashland WI, they are an environmental college. (wont find any english majors..) but since its quite a pop in the bank, I decided to go to University Wisconsin - Stevens Point, which has one of the best college of natural resources in the midwest.


With most wildlife majors, you have to go to graduate school to be taken seriously, so, with that in hand. Once your done living at school, Since with the wildlife degrees, its not so much the following the 4 years and your done... unless your a power horse, I am a senior by transcripts, but have 3 semesters left. Most jobs you will have to intern, then start from the bottom, and then 10 years later have a nice position (hopefully). Though, if its something with critters, and outside, I am happy. Food is only material...
What type of major should i major in?





This entirely depends on your interests! You could major in zoology, ecology, botany or do a conservation biology program that some universities offer. Think about your interests and what your strengths are - if you like math and computers - you could focus on statistics and modelling - are you interested in population biology? Fisheries? Mammalogy? Birds? Behaviour? Physiology? Sometimes you can tailor your programs in your undergrad to your interests. If you want to move past lower level positions - you will need at least a MSc graduate degree. Here you can pick a specific area of conservation bio that interests you - and it may be this 'expertise' that you market when you graduate. Botany is important b/c habitat studies almost always require habitat descriptions!








Are there any colleges that a particularly good in this area?





My advice is to find a smaller school with a good biology department for your undergraduate program - smaller class sizes will make it more enjoyable and you are more likely to actually get to know your profs. Pick a larger school for graduate studies - with a good group of profs (check for publications and what the department can offer) - bigger schools are more likely to have $$ for teaching assistantships or graduate fellowships. Keep your grade point average up though - grad school is getting tougher to get into!





Will it be difficult to find a job?





Wildlife biology can take you to work with universities, governments, and private industry or consulting. Depending on what your interests are - will determine your direction. There are lots of options though - just be prepared at the outset to work very hard for little money. Field work is rewarding b/c of the experience, but often does not pay well. Later in your career though, you can pull in decent money, esp if you work with private industry, consulting and even some Federal Govt jobs pay quite well.





good luck!
To become a certified wildlife biologist, check out The Wildlife Society. They also have a list of schools with programs in wildlife management %26amp; conservation...I'm particularly biased toward the University of Georgia (awesome program!).





http://joomla.wildlife.org/index.php?opt鈥?/a>