How Do I Become a Wildlife Biologist?
Becoming a wildlife biologist can be one of the most interesting and rewarding of career choices for those who love animals or love the outdoors. However, many may not be familiar with the educational path that can lead to this lifetime career. Understanding what is required in wildlife biologist work and getting the appropriate education to develop those skills is crucial for anyone embarking on this career path. The first thing an aspiring wildlife biologist needs to understand is that science is important. Of course, it is assumed that all types of biology classes will be beneficial to the choice of career. However, classes in ecology, Earth science, wildlife management and zoology could also be very important. Together, these classes will provide the educational foundation to continue pursing various wildlife biologist careers. At some point, the student will likely need to decide which type of wildlife biology field he or she may be interested in. For example, some may be interest
You would need a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree plus some hands-on experience. This degree would take you about 4 years to earn, at which point you can try and find a job, or go on to earn a Masters degree which would take an additional 2 years. A Phd would take another 2-3 years after that. Generally the higher your degree and the more experience you have, the higher your salary will be. You could go with a couple different majors: wildlife management, wildlife biology, zoology, biology, or something else closely related. With most of these degrees you will have to take courses such as chemistry, physics, physiology, ecology, genetics, evolution, botany, microbiology, biology, calculus, etc., etc.
