Hey! This is my first time posting. But I'm looking for some advice on how to stay productive during the pandemic. Unfortunately for me, I suffered a serious shoulder injury right after completing my zoology degree and haven't been able to get into the field yet. Now I'm looking for stuff that I can do at home that will keep me not only occupied but will allow me to continue to boost my resume. Does anyone have any experience with any online zoo certificates or courses? I was looking at this Online Courses | Zoo Keeping Certificate | E-learning Animals and was wondering would a hiring zoo consider this to be an asset or a waste of time. I would be super appreciative of any advice or recommendations.
I cannot speak to any of the professional stuff. I would assume though if you keep taking courses in the field it would be helpful. However if you are looking for a zoo related time killer and something that might be helpful get an AZA membership and study studbooks, SSPs, TAGs and care manuals. Not being in the field not sure how much keepers need to know about the first there but the care manuals could have a practical purpose that brushing up on could be helpful particularly if you are applying to say be a meerkat keeper. Being up on the best practices for various species might be a good idea. I personally love to mine the studbooks and SSPs for information on the animals at Toronto Zoo. I can blow entire days if I get into something. I have a 250 plus page document outlining every animal I could trace through the zoo by name. Probably should update that. New project! I find it's a great way to keep myself entertained. $30 a year for endless hours of entertainment, I have spend $30 on so many other things that didn't provided me with a fraction of the joy. Might want to post this to the US or general forums too as you may encounter more zoo professionals on the bigger forums. Our Canadian crew is relatively small but we are a super dedicated.
Different zoos will see resumes differently. Today, many...most?... zoos are laying off staff so when the field opens up again there may be quite a number of experienced keepers looking for work. Also, I hope your injury heals well and swiftly. But be aware that zookeeping is a very physical career You wrote that you completed a zoology degree. Was your plan to become a zookeeper or did you have a different career in mind?
Thank you for your recommendation for the AZA membership and books. I'm going to order some later this week!
It's unfortunate that so many people are being laid off at this time but I have a while to go before I can work again due to my injury. So hopefully the world has settled back to normal by then and zoos are hiring as usual. I love jobs that I'm on my feet for doing stuff. To get through university I had a super easy office job then a waitressing job. I discovered that I rather sweat my butt off and run around like mad then sit in desk chair for 8 hours a day. I have planned to be a zookeeper since highschool. I based my whole university and extracurricular activities around it!
@Bobbie O'Donnell you shouldn't need to order any of AZA material. Just get the appropriate membership and you have a year's worth of access to whatever you want. I only have a friend membership and I can see studbooks, SSPs, TAGs and care manuals for only $30. Now seeing as you are in the field you might need a higher level of membership but that might also give you access to other things I don't know about. Hopefully you will recover at just the right time to help you get in the door somewhere relatively easily. If not don't forget you can always volunteer at a zoo. Helps show your passion down the line. Works in other jobs like teaching so why not zoo keeping too.
