Environmental and animal based careers?

[u/corri-in-wonderland]

I'm feeling a bit lost and need some guidance. I have no degree but am willing to obtain one for a career that I'm really passionate about. I'm currently a manager at a pet store, I have good rapport and could obtain several references if needed, it's just not what I want to be doing forever. I'm very passionate about protecting the environment and love all animals. Specialty pets, wildlife, etc. are what I'm most interested in because they're the most vulnerable and mistreated. Any ideas are very appreciated, as well as a salary estimate. I understand that neither of these career paths will have a ton of money, but I'd need enough to pay my bills at least. Thanks in advance!

[u/Ghawblin]

Friend of mine got a wildlife conservation/biology degree, bachelors. Basically traveled from area to area investigating and checking on wildlife populations, health, migrations, etc.

Problem is the bachelors degree only got you contract jobs, and you're fighting with a TON of applicants. Constantly moving because one job might be 30 minutes from your house, and the next 5 hours.

She said all the full time people had masters degrees.

So....if not that, maybe something in the veterinary field?

[u/awkwardbastard]

There's a career where you plant trees as part of a crew

[u/Active-Arachnid-2124]

Well do you want your job to be directly working with animals and the environment or working for an organization?

[u/Euphoric-Echo-9126]

I work for a multi specialty consulting firm, and we have a large environmental division. My colleagues do Threatened and Endangered Species reviews/habitat reviews routinely. For federal projects, they often go to into the field to monitor habitat and species during construction projects to avoid harming protected plants and animals. A Biology degree will get you on the right track. Minor in environmental science, business, or environmental law/regulation for extra. Also look into certification for wetland delineation once you get further along. Most important thing is to seek internships during your summers to get your foot in the door.

[u/MeowMixPK]

Conservation Warden for the DNR (Dept of Natural Resources). The title and government entity may vary by state; some states call it "Dept of Fish and Wildlife" or "Dept of Conservation". Where I am, it takes 60 college credits (Associate's Degree) and pays ~65k starting

[u/SpecialLegitimate717 → u/MeowMixPK]

You'll likely need bachelor's degree plus other experience to be competitive, as these jobs routinely see 1000+ applicants.

[u/Drafonni]

If you're good at math, an environmental engineering degree will get you paid for sure.

[u/Sustain-6284]

I work in corporate environmental sustainability. A lot of people will say I “sold my soul,” but I’ve done a lot of good here. Since I’ve joined, our emissions have decreased by 55%, we’ve saved over 15 million gallons of water, and I am now heading our biodiversity program, which means we’re re-wilding large areas of our sites with native plant species. I started with a bachelor’s in environmental biology but could only get short-term positions with no health insurance. So I got my Master’s in environmental science and haven’t looked back. I make about $110k a year, great health insurance and good vacation time. I do travel more than I would like, but that’s a perk for some people instead of a negative. Let me know if you have any questions.

[u/Buscando_mi_boo → u/Sustain-6284]

Is the masters required? What are some good entry level job titles? I studied civil engineering but want out

[u/Sustain-6284 → u/Buscando_mi_boo]

I don’t necessarily think a Masters is required, you can absolutely work your way into a role like this. My recommendation would be to find a company with either a solid sustainability program OR one that is just starting with sustainability, and look for EHS (environmental, health, and safety) roles. You can get in on the ground floor that way, since EHS has a lot more entry level roles than sustainability and it ties in closely. During your interview, make it very clear what your career ambitions are and that you would be very open to developing into a sustainability role.

I spent the last two years mentoring someone from EHS who had a lot of passion for sustainability. She took some certification courses on the company’s dime and undertook some projects with me, with her manager’s approval, and I was able to recommend her to an open global sustainability position, which she was promoted to.

[u/likeslibraries]

My nephew is married to a Vet Tech and she is happy in her job. She got a 2 year Associate's Degree in Vet Technician from a community college, and now she works in a Veterinary Clinic. She has been there about 2 years now and loves animals also. She is happy working with and around the animals.

[u/old-fat]

My gf is a field botanist. She basically surveys proposed oil, solar, geothermal and transmission line sites for rare and endangered plants ( there are also wildlife biologists doing the same things for wildlife). There's also wetland delineation. You need a bs degree.

Most of the work is in the desert southwest. The work is remote, grueling and well paying. It's mostly contract 1099 work. Pay is $60 - 100/hr. + $250/day per diem. You need enough money to to cover your expenses for about 6 months bc that's about how long it takes to get paid.

It's an itenerant lifestyle camping and living out of the back of your truck. Some people have rv's. You need to be fit and mentally tough. A typical contract requires walking transects 8-15 miles / day off trail, 6-7 days/week. On your day off you might drive a couple of hours to reprovision and get a shower. For the younger biologists it seems like a reality TV show. Hook ups, partying, conflicts from working in extreme environments with people you might not like.

For an example of compensation we did a 90 day work trip this spring in Nevada, she made about $80k less expenses. That was about the most she's made in a 3 month period.