How to Obtain Wildlife Sanctuary Experience
- 1). Take coursework in biology, animal sciences, or environmental sciences at a college or university. Although many wildlife professionals have had a life-long interest in nature, animals and the environment, most individuals in wildlife careers have at least a bachelor's degree in a field related to wildlife protection. Such an education will also make you more marketable and qualify you for higher-paying wildlife jobs in the future.
- 2). Find a job at a wildlife sanctuary. Approach your major professors or your college job resources office. Develop your resume and check job boards online such as through the Environmental Careers Organization. Call wildlife sanctuaries or review their websites to see if they are hiring. Learn everything you can about the missions, policies, and endangered or threatened species at specific wildlife sanctuaries or refuges. As many wildlife sanctuaries are nonprofit organizations with limited funding, be willing to accept unpaid internships.
- 3). Once you have obtained a job or internship, fulfill it honorably. Be to work on time, and give it your full attention. Working at the sanctuary or refuge will give you a working knowledge of the day-to-day activities of a refuge and an idea of tasks or issues you may deal with in your career. Show your enthusiasm by requesting to work on projects specific to your desired career path. In addition, stay abreast of local, state and federal legislation that could affect the wildlife refuge.
- 4). Stay conscious of how your experience will translate into bullets on a resume. Be sure to accomplish tasks in a variety of job facets so that you will be more diverse and your experience will apply to jobs that are available once you graduate. Maintain a good rapport with your supervisor at the wildlife sanctuary or refuge so that you can use them as a reference when your job search begins. During the last week of your internship there, ask your supervisor to write you a general letter of recommendation that you could submit to potential employers.
