Howdy ya'll! I am seven years removed from college (BA Political Science) and have spent that time as a political organizer. I have managed countless volunteers and interns, worked on a top tier race for US Congress, inside the Texas Capitol, and targeted races for state legislatures. But, politics is a young man's game and at 29 I'm having trouble keeping up with the younger generation, odd hours, and unstable employment. Now, I feel, is the proper time to make a career move towards what has been a lifelong passion of mine: Zoos. I am not interested in animal care, but rather operations, management, and design. My strengths include great organizational and management skills and a good grasp of writing and communication. I have browsed the AZA website and applied to several positions but, I don't have the experience within zoos many may be looking for. So, I'm turning to this community looking for other suggestions. I am currently living in Austin, TX and have previously lived in the Houston and Dallas areas. What tips do you have for someone looking for a massive career change?
I don't have any tips as the usual course of action is to get a degree in zoology or biology and spend several years volunteering and gradually gaining experience in a zoo. However, Honolulu Zoo just hired yet another new director (they go through one a year) and the individual in question has absolutely zero experience with animals or working in a zoo. He was running a non-profit organization for women and children, so there is hope for you! There have been a number of zoo directors with zero zoo experience hired in the past few years as many establishments are looking for people with business skills without them necessarily having had experience inside a zoo facility.
Good start There was a time when I was exploring a masters of a Public Administration, but it was not the right time in my life to be in graduate school, so I removed myself from the program. I did go through the class on non-profit management before I left. As odd as it sounds, I don't have an interest in the biology side and the daily care of animals as much as I do the overall management of the facilities. What else do ya'll know?
If you don't like animals then why do you want to work in a zoo? It seems likely that would be a red flag for any potential employer in the zoo world. Zoos have a unique culture. You might want to immerse yourself in that culture by volunteering at events at your local zoo and informationally interviewing people who are doing the kind of zoo management jobs that you are interested in. That would be a way of figuring out if you really want to work in a zoo and how people doing the jobs that you aspire to got in their positions.
Now where did I say I don't like animals? If I didn't like animals I wouldn't have spent 7 years working in politics. *zing* No, no, no. I mean I have no interest in the job of a keeper as I do of a non-profit manager where the organization is a proponent of education and conservation. A zoo. I have a friend who's working on getting me a meeting with the director of one of the major Texas directors.
Getting the job you want isn't any different from getting a similar position within another industry. Zoos may require appropriate "zoo" experience and education for keepers, curators, etc. but development staff, community relations, marketing, education, finance, guest services etc. are rarely expecting zoo experience from applicants. Everyone I know in similar positions at zoos came from other industries. If you have suitable, competitive skills and experience for a non-animal care position then apply for any you find. Your love of zoos will help, but it won't get you the job.
I agree with everything Zooplantman has said. You are probably already aware but the AZA has a "Jobs" section that you do not have to be a member to see located here. Might be a place to start.
Thanks ZooPlantman and Drew! I've been applying for what I feel I'm qualified for and I feel confident! I appreciate the encouragement!
