How To become an Ethologist
Are you an animal lover? Would you like to study them and gain insight into their behaviors? Then you should try to become an Ethologist. So, who is an ethologist?
An ethologist is a scientist who closely works with animals and study about their behavioral pattern. They will observe, study, and research and come to conclusions about various behaviors in animals. They study various animals, observe animals in the field, travel around to observe them, or may study domesticated animals, or observe them in a laboratory in controlled conditions. To, conclude, ethologists are scientist who will study animal behaviors and look into the activities and attributes that contributes to their behaviors.
If this job sounds interesting to you, you may follow this guide to learn how to become an ethologist.
How to become an ethologist?
You may follow these steps to become an ethologist.
Prepare early
If you start early, you will be able to set the right road map. For instance, if you are a high school student who wants to pursue a career in ethology, you may take biology, chemistry, and classes of statistics which will help you build a strong foundation. You can also consider taking English classes, as you need to have a good grasp of the subject to read and write efficiently.
You can also consider going for volunteering programs as it will help you gain skills that are needed to work with animals. Try to volunteer in a zoo or a nature preserve to gain the right knowledge. This will also help you understand whether this is the right job for you.
Get a bachelor’s degree
If you want to pursue this career, you should have a bachelor’s degree in the field. You should pursue your study in biology, chemistry, animal science, or other fields that are related to it. By studying in these fields, you will be able to learn biological theories of behaviors, animal cognition, animal social behaviors, neurology, and other courses that will help you build a strong foundation.
With a bachelor’s degree, you will be able to get a job as a research assistant. Even though you won’t be able to implement independent studies, you will be able to work in the laboratory under the guidance of professionals.
Gain field experience
Experience is one of the keys to attaining your goals. After finishing your degree or while doing it, find opportunities that are related to the field. Having field experience will help you stand out and will give you a competitive edge while applying for a job. You can take up volunteer opportunities or work as a research assistant to gain knowledge and skills.
So, equip yourself with relevant skills and qualifications to achieve your goal.
