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Careers in
Aquariums
Do you
yearn to teach dolphins to leap for their lunch? Help sea horses
survive in the wild? Educate others about the wonders of the deep?
There are lots of opportunities at aquariums and marine parks across
North America.
Aquariums vary greatly in size and focus. For example, some focus
strictly on freshwater aquatics. Others are renowned for their displays
of saltwater habitats.
Some, like Landry's in Houston, are run for profit. Others, like
Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, are not. However, their missions
are usually along similar lines: animal conservation, research and
education.
A Sea of Choices
Aquariums employ people in a wide range of roles. They include
everything from animal trainers and exhibit designers to the customer
service and payroll staff.
The general curator oversees an institution's entire animal collection
and animal management staff. The curator decides when and how to
acquire animals and which animals should breed. They also use expert
knowledge of animal needs to help supervise exhibit designs.
The aquarium veterinarian is responsible for the health-care program
for the animal collection. They help diagnose problems with fish and
marine mammals and maintain records.
The keeper/aquarist provides daily care to the institution's animals.
They prepare diets, clean tanks, maintain the exhibits and keep records.
The director of research supervises research projects. They serve as
liaison between the institution and the academic community. They also
publish articles in scientific journals.
The curator of education plans and carries out the institution's
educational programs.
According to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, salaries vary
depending on the institution and its location. Institutions located in
urban areas generally offer higher salaries. And, of course, it depends
on your role.
An animal keeper's salary in the U.S. can range from minimum wage to
more than $30,000 a year, depending on skills and tenure.
According to the most recent edition of the Occupational Employment
Statistics, the average annual wage for zoologists and wildlife
biologists was $53,920.
Diving In
To become an aquarium vet or a marine mammal researcher, follow the
same educational path as for a regular animal vet or for other
researcher roles. That means getting an advanced degree. Look for
opportunities to specialize in marine mammals.
Similarly, for administrative roles, pursue the standard qualifications
for that profession and seek out internship opportunities at your
nearest aquarium.
Trainers and animal care workers require more specialized training.
According to a recent job posting, a marine mammal training specialist
at the Vancouver Aquarium requires a degree in science or a related
discipline and a minimum of five years of training experience with
whales, dolphins or porpoises. You also need scuba diving certification
and advanced public speaking skills.
A Unique Program
The aquarium science program at Oregon Coast Community College is the
first program in the U.S. to focus on hands-on educational training
programs for people wanting to enter the aquatic animal care profession.
"The program prepares individuals for husbandry work [raising and
caring of animals] at public aquariums, fish hatcheries, aquaculture
facilities and ornamental fish enterprises," says program director
Bruce Koike.
The program is becoming popular with veterinary students seeking
training in aquatic animal health management, he adds.
Koike says that since around 1990, the industry has basically hired
individuals with a bachelor's degree in a natural science. Employers
provide lots of training, since many of those new hires have no
experience.
"Many times, these folks leave after six to 12 months because this
wasn't what they thought they'd be doing. When they depart, the
expensive and time-consuming activity of advertising, evaluating
applications, interviewing, then training starts over again," says
Koike.
"We hope to lessen this burden on the industry and individual
facilities."
The course includes two practica and an 11-week internship. It makes
students aware of the actual job activities. "If they don't like it,
then they can opt out without having invested four to five years of
study," says Koike.
Volunteering and
Internship Opportunities
Volunteers are a crucial part of the day-to-day operation of many
aquariums. "We have more than 1,000 individual volunteers -- by far the
largest number at any aquarium," says Ken Peterson. He is the public
relations manager at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.
In fact, the aquarium's professional staff is less than half the size
of the volunteer corps.
"Volunteers do everything from serving as guides on the floor to caring
for stranded and ill southern sea otters. We have more than 100
volunteer scuba divers who clean windows underwater and talk with
visitors during our kelp forest feeding shows.
"Many are involved in animal care roles, others in clerical positions.
Some assist in public relations and special events. I'd say that the
folks working with sea otters are probably in unique volunteer jobs."
The aquarium's 450 volunteer guides take a 13-week course in marine
science and interpretation. They can earn college credit for the course.
"We then ask them to make a one-year commitment," says Peterson. "We
have three generations of volunteers: some are middle school and high
school age and others are in their 80s."
Peterson says many people are happy just to volunteer. "Some hope for
jobs, especially on the animal care side, and some choose to work part
time while they volunteer."
He warns that volunteering with the goal of getting a job could prove
frustrating if there are few openings. However, it will make the staff
familiar with your personality and skills, which could help.
Find your nearest aquarium and ask about volunteer and internship
opportunities. If you're not sure which aquarium role suits you, this
is a good way to find out. Ask the aquarium staff about current and
future projects that may require full-time positions.
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Net
Sites
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American Zoo and Aquarium Association
Check out careers and job listings
http://www.aza.org
Volunteer and Job Opportunities at Monterey Bay Aquarium
Find out how to get involved
http://www.mbayaq.org/aa/jobs.asp
Aquarium Science Program
Get more details on the program at Oregon Coast
Community College
http://www.occc.cc.or.us/aquarium
International Marine Animal Trainers Association
Get some advice on training
http://www.imata.org/
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