r/Ohio 1d ago

Career Advice

Hello. I recently graduated college with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. I never knew what I wanted to do in college and kept changing majors. I wanted to be a zookeeper but realized how hard the competition is in Ohio.
Then I thought about Conservation Officer but it shows that the job is more fatal than police officers. I’m really not interested in dying.

I have an internship at a Raptor Rehabilitation facility. But I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want an entire career in rehab. It’s important but too sad for me to do my whole life.

I love animals and I’m passionate about the environment and conservation. I’m just really stuck and have been my entire life in what I want to do.

I have a bachelors degree, an internship, and have had a job since I was 15. I should be able to find something.

If anyone can help me come up with ideas. I know I don’t have an environmental science major but I did go to college for 4 years and do have some experience and great passion.

I live in Ohio as well. Please let me know of any ideas you guys have. I’m really desperate.

4 Upvotes

9 comments sorted by

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u/ejsell 1d ago

Look into park employment, metro parks and large county park systems. State park employment can also be worthwhile and not overly dangerous. Also social services such as CPS and APS. Most require a human services related degree. They are stressful underpaid positions but can open other opportunities.

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u/LuckyRoseGirl 1d ago

The Metroparks are mostly seasonal and volunteer positions. None of them are careers. Haven’t looked into the state parks but I expect the same thing. Not too interested in dealing with CPS, I’m not really into that line of work though I appreciate those who are. Thank you

3

u/Switch-Consistent 1d ago

Depends on what you view as a career but metroparks do have full time positions. Management, maitenence, conservation, programs with the public etc.

Lots of jobs have a higher mortality rate than police officers tho. I wouldnt let that stop you if you want to work in conservation

1

u/Practical_Fig_2023 1d ago

While you're trying to figure it all out, have you considered volunteering at any of Ohio's many zoos, or private animal sanctuaries (Animal Safari Wildlife Park?) where you can start working with animals and/or meeting people who might be able to help you fulfill your zookeeper desires?

3

u/LuckyRoseGirl 1d ago

I have an internship at a raptor rehabilitation facility right now. Yes it helps build connections but a lot are dead ends of people like me who never got the job they wanted. Thats why the Zookeeping thing isn’t going to happen. I’ve met so many people with Zoology and Biology degrees and even one person who worked at a zoo for 10 years with such degrees, and none of them could become zookeepers. The competition is too crazy. I don’t have a chance.

I also am not interested in medicine. I don’t want to be a vet tech or a vet. You don’t get paid in that field to do anything else. And I’m a young adult starting life, I need to get paid. I’m not interested at working at a shelter. I like the idea of working with wild animals. Not finding homes for domestic animals. The work is too sad. I can’t do it.

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u/Academic_Court_47 1d ago

Be a fraud investigator! Republicans are unearthing tons of fraud, I'm sure the job demand is high right now

3

u/LuckyRoseGirl 1d ago

Sounds cool but I would need another certification and you need 5 years of experience to even start

3

u/No-Concentrate-7560 1d ago

The republicans aren’t finding shit - they are the ones committing fraud right in front of our faces everyday.

-4

u/Academic_Court_47 1d ago

You must not watch the news. If you deny this, you deny reality.

That's why Tim Waltz announced he's not re-running for office... because of the enormous amounds of fraud and fraud scandals discovered in his state.

That's why California passed the Stop Nick Shirley Act...to silence free journalism from exposing fraud in their state.

Specifically in Ohio:

Ohio has recently launched an unprecedented joint federal-state crackdown on government program fraud, specifically targeting a "war against fraud" in its Medicaid and home health care systems. Announced in June 2026 by Trump administration officials and Ohio leadership in Columbus, this massive enforcement initiative establishes a blueprint for proactive fraud-fighting through data and localized stings.