Anyone Work at a Zoo (animal care)?

[Boxer_21]

So one of my brainstorms that I had last night was to apply to work at a local zoo to care for the animals. It says on the website that no college degree is required and that on the job training is provided. I love animals so I think it would be a VERY nice change of pace for me! It would also fit more with my plans to go back to school for a biology degree.

I looked over the job application (first time in almost 7 years I've looked at one) and there's a spot where you have to put your desired salary. I have NO idea what to put there. I don't want to go to high and scare them off, but I don't want to go to low and rip myself off either. I can take a small paycut, but don't want to lose to much! Does anyone have any general idea on how much animal care givers at zoos make? I'm not trying to pry just trying to get advice on what I should put there. Any input is welcome.

 

[Chiefsmom]

I looked over the job application (first time in almost 7 years I've looked at one) and there's a spot where you have to put your desired salary. I have NO idea what to put there. I don't want to go to high and scare them off, but I don't want to go to low and rip myself off either. I can take a small paycut, but don't want to lose to much! Does anyone have any general idea on how much animal care givers at zoos make?

I don't know how much animal care givers make at Zoos. But... working in the vocational industry, when that question pops up on applications, I usually advise my clients to write the word negotiable. This allows them to start the offer. Then you can decide your worth from that. Hope this helps!

 

[GDOGS1]

I had a neice that worked at the local zoo here during the summer while she was going to college and she was making only $10.00 p/hr so i hope this might help a little bit please keep us posted on your situation


MoM & DaD of GDOGS Brindle,Docked,Floppy and full of Zest

 

[Austin's Mom]

I would always put "open" in the salary spot, but I think "negotiable" sounds better.

 

[Boxer_21]

Thanks for the advice. I like putting the negotiable on that line. Hopefully, they won't be put off by it. I'm really loving the idea of working with animals and being able to move around. Have the same job day after day, sitting at the same desk all day long, and dealing with the same problems every day has really been taking a toll on me, both physically and emotionally. I really need a change! I'll keep you posted!

 

[Boxerworld]

Hi Mandy,

I remember years ago you were wondering about going back to school but did not because you loved your job.
What makes you think you will not get tired with that new one when you will be cleaning crates etc day after day and dealing with the same problems every day? You are sick sitting at the same desk but you might be sick standing up all day.
You are blaming the current management at work. That can happen at the zoo too and later, if you are unhappy with your job, it will be harder to get another job without a degree because it is cheaper to hire young people.
If I were you I would go to college now. If you wait too long to get it, for your employer the degree will not count as much as all your previous jobs even if it is unfair.

Olly

 

[Boxer_21]

Olly, I used to really like my job, but things have changed a lot. They've hired a lot of new people, but not in MY department. I currently work in purchasing which only consists of myself, my boss, and a girl who just started to replace someone who was fired. I'm currently responsible for taking orders from 6 branches. Each branch has at 3 or 4 inside salesmen with the exception of my branch which has 10. There are also 14 outside salesmen company wide (with more who are being hired in the near future). So, doing the math that means I'm taking orders from approximately 39 to 44 people in one day. That may not sound like much, but there are also the problems of orders not showing when they're supposed to which means I have to track them down. Half the time they've been delivered, but our branch managers just haven't received them in yet which means I just wasted 10-20 minutes tracking an order that we already had. Then we have the customers who place an order today and need it tomorrow which means I have to place the order and then make phone calls to make sure the vendor got the order and that it'll ship. Which could lead to more problems and time wasted if they don't have the stock. That's not even all of my responsibilities either. I have to manually enter new pricing into my system when our vendors have price increases which depending on the vendor it could take a few minutes up to severa hours to do. There's so much more that I could go on and on about, but I can't sit here typing all day. :(

The problem that I have with management is that they're hiring all of these salesmen which my dept is responsible for, but they don't realize that each new branch they open and each new salesman they hire means a lot more work on our part. What's worst is that they don't even think we need a third person in our dept which means they have no plans of hiring anyone else in my dept, in fact they may even let the new girl go. If this happens, I'll literally be forced out the door from the stress. I don't know how this is all coming off to you, but until you sit in my seat I don't think I could clearly make you understand what I'm going through.

I know for a fact that I'd be happier working at a zoo. How do I know this? For one, I'm more of an animal person than an people person. I'd work with animals over people any day. I know I'd still have to work with people at a zoo, but the main focus would be on animals. Cleaning crates doesn't bother me at all. I've almost always had some type of 'cage' animal at some point in my life (hamsters, rats, etc) most recently ferrets for the past 7 years. Cleaning their cages was nothing. Now, I have a 75 gallon aquarium which requires just as much maintainence. Growing up I used to visit my aunt's farm on weekends to help care for her horses as well so I've cleaned stalls and worked with horses a lot. This kind of stuff doesn't bother me at all. As far as standing all day. When I go whale watching during the summer months I'm on my feet all day and it doesn't bother me at all. I know that's entirely different from working at a zoo, but I don't see that bothering me at all. In fact I look forward to it because it would be more helpful to me in terms of keeping me in shape than sitting at a desk all day!

The last point that you brought up about going to college now, if it was that easy I would. Some people (myself included) have a lot of bills and and just can't afford college. I'm working on paying off some of my larger bills and then college may be somewhat more affordable. Trust me, if I had the money right now I'd be in school. It's just not that easy. :(

 

[Boxerworld]

I'm sure not many people have such dificult and frustrating jobs

Olly, I used to really like my job, but things have changed a lot.

That was my point. Things can change in any job, and usually do (which is what I told you years ago). You can go and work with animals at the zoo, but you're still going to have a boss and colleagues and other people (maybe the public) to deal with there too. When some of those change, you can find yourself with the same frustration.

This is what you wrote 2 days ago on another thread:

Some of the decisions that management has made recently have literally made me sick. Promoting the back stabbing suck ups and granting them all of their demands which shafting the people who are really committed and need help... but I don't have a degree in anything which means I won't find another job making the same pay so I'm kind of stuck.

A degree doesn't change it, but it gives you more options when you need or want to change.

You might find it easy standing all day now, and don't mind scooping poop for a living. But you're still in your twenties. When you're 35 or 40 with varicose veins or the beginnings of a bad back, you might be less happy about it.

Everyone has bills to pay. And college can be part time or at nights too. You won't have a better opportunity than when you're still living with your parents to do it.

 

[Boxer_21]

That was my point. Things can change in any job, and usually do (which is what I told you years ago). You can go and work with animals at the zoo, but you're still going to have a boss and colleagues and other people (maybe the public) to deal with there too. When some of those change, you can find yourself with the same frustration.

I agree and I completely understand, BUT at the same time should I stay where I know for a fact that I'm miserable, a place where I've had nervous breakdowns because it doesn't really matter where I go I *might* have the same problems with management? If you worked at a place for 7 years (the length I've been at my job) and you were put under so much stress that you've broken down to tears on more than one occasion would you stay? Putting college aside and regardless of whether or not you had a degree wouldn't you at least try to find a job more suited for you, at least for the short term?

You might find it easy standing all day now, and don't mind scooping poop for a living. But you're still in your twenties. When you're 35 or 40 with varicose veins or the beginnings of a bad back, you might be less happy about it.

Likewise, when I'm at that age and confined to a desk job all day getting no exersice I think I may become less than happy about putting on the pounds! Sitting all day hunched over a desk doesn't exactly promote a good back either so I think I'd rather take my chances on that one.

Everyone has bills to pay. And college can be part time or at nights too. You won't have a better opportunity than when you're still living with your parents to do it.

The reason I still live with my parents is because the rent here is rediculous! If I didn't need a car, didn't need to eat, didn't have pets, had no other bills, etc. I may be able to *survive* on my own. The rent here would literally take my entire pay check. Living with my parents I pay 'rent' for the basement level, but not nearly as much as I would if I were on my own. So, while it is a benefit to be living here, it's far from being a big help with going to school.

 

[K8IE]

I don't really have any advice for you, I still don't know what I want to be "when I grow up"... But I will say this... Life is too short to be unhappy and unfulfilled. Do what will make you happy.