I want to become a zoo curator eventually, it is my dream career. I am going to college in the fall with a major in Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation. I know that it is not an entry level position, so I have a few questions. --My first one would be is how does one become a curator? I heard that it takes many years and curators are usually in their 50s. --My second question is do keepers and curators get to travel and do research? I am very interested in studying wild animals and using the things I learn to better the lives of zoo animals. Do curators do that? --My next question is what exactly a curator does. I have read a lot about their duties, and so far I've gathered that it is a largely an administrative job and less of a hands on job working with animals. Is that true? I don't mind working with people at all, but I really, really hate sitting behind a desk and being inside all day. I would have figured that zoo director's do most of the administrative tasks. I would appreciate any stories or any other bits of information and advice about zoo curating you might like to share. Thank you!
There is no short answer to your question. As someone who frequently advertises zoo vacancies I am aware that the majority of curator positions are arrived at through internal promotion. So it is really a case of being the right person in the right place at the right time. It will be the practical knowledge and experience which counts more than the academic though having both would be a plus. As to the duties....it depends on the zoo. There is no set standard. In some collections the head keeper may be carrying on the duties which a curator may do in another zoo and the curator doing much of the directors work. Some curators will also take some of the practical hands on work, some won't. Do they travel and research? In some collections...yes. In others they have not a minute to spare. Age? I first became a curator when I was 21 or 22....so long ago that I forget. I am 65 now and still a curator. It is a career choice. I know a number of keepers who would make excellent zoo directors but stay just where they are because they love the role.
