Career Opportunities with a Degree in… Zoology

JOBS with Zoology:

Aquarist:  Galway aquarium has been a source of employment for Zoology students, both at graduate and undergraduate level.

Aquaculture: Many graduates of Zoology are involved with the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants.

Archaeology: At least one, Zoology graduate is working at archaeological digs as an animal bones expert.

Art & Media: A number of Zoology graduates are working as artists or as wildlife photographers and wildlife illustrators. One graduate used to produce the Late Late Show for Gay Byrne! Sir David Attenborough was a zoology graduate (not from NUIG obviously).

Conservation: Many Zoology graduates work in conservation, for example mammal conservation development officer for the Vincent Wildlife Trust, or as Park Rangers for the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Others work in the laboratory assessing genetic diversity of threatened species.

Embryologist:  Animal embryology and development are part of the courses taught in Zoology. This, with additional training has led one graduate to become an embryologist in a fertility clinic.

Environmental Management: A number of graduates of Zoology from NUIG work for governmental agencies, in environmental management, (e.g. the Environmental Protection Agency and the Marine Institute).

Environmental Consultancy: Some graduates work as freelance consultants for governmental agencies or industry in this capacity and some have set up successful companies in this area, e.g. Aquafact International Ltd.

Fisheries Management: A number of NUIG Zoology graduates work for the Irish Fisheries Board, which uses scientific research on fish populations to find ways to protect fishery resources and allow sustainable exploitation.

Forensics: the Zoology degree provides the skills (e.g. molecular biology) to become a forensic scientist.

Journalism: Due to the writing skills and knowledge acquired during a degree in zoology, this career is also very feasible.

Marine Biologist: Some Zoologists work as marine biologists for conservation agencies, government agencies and research groups from Universities.

Museum Curation: Many Zoology graduates learn skills in the identification of animals and also the organisational skills necessary for curation.

Parasitology: A number of Zoology graduates have become either animal parasitologists working in veterinary science or human parasitologists working in e.g. tropical medicine.

Pest control/entomology: At least one, zoology graduate has followed this career path from his experience in working with insects during his time in Zoology.

Private Enterprise: in addition to environmental consultancy firms, other initiatives include making a living out of diving, eco-tours, or underwater photography.

Project Management: Some Zoology graduates move away from field or lab based careers and into project management. The organisation and writing skills acquired during your degree makes this area very feasible.

Laboratory Assistant & Research: skills learnt during your degree in Zoology also make this career possible with graduates working as lab assistants in university laboratories and in R&D for industry. Many graduates stay on and do a PhD by research in one of the laboratories of Zoology academic staff at NUIG or go to other universities both in Ireland and abroad to do a PhD. Some of our recent graduates are working in the UK, the US, Germany, Australia, and South America.

Taxonomist: Skills in identifying animals are also useful for environmental consultancy firms, oil companies or as private consultants as well as academia.

Teaching: Zoology graduates have gone on to follow careers at all levels of teaching; at primary school, secondary school and third level.

Veterinary: A small number of zoology graduates have successfully used their Zoology degree to obtain a place on a veterinary science course.

Zoo Keeper/Assistant: At least one Zoology graduate of NUIG is working as an education officer in Dublin Zoo.  Other possible positions include Zoo keeper and Zoo keeper assistants.

Note: Further qualifications may be needed for certain positions. This list is a sample representation of positions available.