The 5 Best Majors If You Want to Work With Animals

What Careers or Degrees Will Let You Work With Animals?

Hello! 👋 Welcome to this guide on the best majors to pursue in college if you want to work with animals 🐶 in the future. This is a great career field for animal lovers, and there are dozens of different career paths available depending on your interests. Let’s jump right into it! 🐰

1. Zoology

As a student studying zoology 🦓, you will be delving into the relationships 🤝 between animals and their environment. You will be studying the animal kingdom and how it is impacted by its natural surroundings 🌳, aided by strong foundations in biology and physical science.

(Image courtesy of Unsplash)

If you want to work in an animal-related industry in the future and have an interest in biology 🔬 and scientific processes🧬, this may be the major for you! Within zoology, you will be able to conduct research 🔎 in the real world 🌎 and work with zoos or conservation groups.

You will learn the important principles of biology, chemistry, and math. 💯 These courses will train you to view organisms from different levels, from the microscopic molecules they’re made out of to the function of their bodily systems. 🙉 These classes will also help you transition to more challenging science courses like anatomy and genetics 🧬, where you will study animal structures and their functions, as well as evolution and its impact on the animal kingdom.

Outside of the classroom, you will be encouraged to participate in research opportunities to gain hands-on experience. 📊 Working alongside faculty, you will be able to develop crucial scientific reasoning skills 📝 while working with animals!

2. Veterinary Science

Veterinarians have an important role in maintaining the health and happiness 😊 of pets, livestock, and zoo animals. Some veterinary scientists also research 📈 animal diseases and study how they may affect humans, like yellow fever 💉, a viral disease that is spread by one particular type of mosquito.

If you consider yourself compassionate and patient, and are interested in studying animal behaviors and the function of their physical systems 🦠, consider pursuing a major in veterinary science! Not only will you be focusing on taking care of sick animals 🩺, but you will also be providing comfort ❤️ to animals feeling anxious, distressed, or angry.

While in college, you will be taking courses that cover the foundations of basic sciences. According to World Wide Learn, the majority of your time in this major will be focused on gaining hands-on experience 🤲, like diagnosing health issues and performing actual surgery! 🦴 In addition, you will have the opportunity to perform lab work in the fields of biochemistry, medicine, and anatomy. 🧬

(Image courtesy of Unsplash)

If you are interested in specializing in one particular field, such as radiology or surgery 🩹, you should consider gaining an internship. This opportunity will allow you to continue practicing your craft in a hands-on environment and prepare you for the workforce ahead! 🔭

3. Marine Biology

Marine biologists look closely at how organisms, including fish 🐟 and aquatic plants, survive in the ocean. As a marine biology major, you will study ocean geology, animals’ habitats and their ecological environments 🐚, and the chemical makeup of water. 💦

Is this the right major for you? Well, if you’re interested in studying marine organisms 🐡 and participating in aquatic activities like diving, the answer might be yes! Marine biologists frequently go on dives to observe ocean life 🌊 and apply the knowledge they have learned about aquatic animals.

Some of the classes you will take include marine ecology 🦀 (the study of living things and their interactions with the environment), marine botany 🌿 (the study of plant species and marine algae), fisheries biology 🐠 (the study of fish and their natural habitats), and marine policy ✒️ (the study of how social sciences are applied to craft policies relating to the ocean).

Outside of the classroom, there tons of ways to continue to stay involved! For example, you could do research at a marine science research institute 🐳, complete an internship at an aquarium, or even go on a dive to see marine organisms in their natural habitats. 🐬

(Image courtesy of Pexels)

4. Animal Science

Students studying animal science look at topics like behavior 🐕‍🦺, breeding, and physiology. Later, you may pick a specialization to pursue a career in, such as animal management or animal medicine. 🧩

Pursue a major in animal science if you are passionate about animals 🐘 and plan to work in an animal-related industry in the future! There are lots of specializations to choose from, so you should be able to browse through and find one that fits you and your interests perfectly. For example, if you consider yourself a strong problem solver and have a deep interest in science ⚗️, you may be interested in entering the field of animal health and medicine. 💊

In college, you will take a wide breadth of foundational classes, like animal nutrition 🍎 and animal reproduction. Then, depending on your chosen specialization, you will have the opportunity to take a more narrow focus of classes. For instance, students interested in animal management may take classes in agricultural business management 🌾, while others interested in animal medicine might take higher levels of chemistry and physiology.

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5. Equine Studies

Students with equine studies majors learn how to properly take care of horses 🐴, including training and grooming. 🧹 You will also learn how breeding works, as well as how to take care of horses with health issues.

If you love horses and can envision yourself working with them as a career, this might be the best major for you! As an equine studies major, it is important to be responsible 🧠 and hard-working. Being prepared for physical activity 🤾 is also a plus!

One of the most important classes you will take is equine nutrition 🍖, which involves learning how to feed horses correctly to ensure that they maintain a healthy body. According to the College Board’s Big Future program, some topics that you will learn about include “ingredients in feed 🍽, the digestive anatomy of the horse, and what a horse needs to eat as it gets older.” 💪

This major will provide a lot of opportunities for hands-on experience, as you will be working alongside horses for the majority of your time! 🐴 Possible internship positions include horse breeding technician and assistant barn manager. 🌾

(Image courtesy of Pexels)

Conclusion

Give yourself a pat on the back: You’ve successfully made it to the end of this article! 🙌 You should now have a better understanding of the five majors we’ve looked at, including how to determine if each major is right for you 🤔, what kind of classes you will be taking, and how you can gain experience outside the classroom. 📚

If you are still unsure, don’t stress! 😫 Continue doing research about each major to really hone in on the right fit for you. 😋 If you’d like more college resources, check out Fiveable!

Good luck on your college journey! You’ve got this. 👏

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