What can I do with a major in Zoology?

Don't forget that it is your DEGREE that employers are interested in first and foremost. Many employers/admissions committees will be interested in you as a UW-Madison graduate - regardless of major. Of course, some may be specifically interested in students with a biological background. If you think you'd like to pursue zoology not only as your academic major, but also into your future as a professional, you'll find some resources to explore below.

One note as we get started: at the undergraduate level, most biological majors share the same list of related career prospects. It's not the title of your major as much as the curriculum within that prepares you more for one area or another. For example - within your major in zoology you can focus on cellular and molecular biology and target biotech careers. Or, you could focus on ecology and conservation and target environmental careers. Or, you could focus on organismal biology and target health related careers; and so on. The same holds true for biology majors.  So, if you see a resource called "careers for biology majors" - that broadly includes you.

For overviews of careers in the biological sciences, see the links below. You can find general career information, job profiles of specific individuals, salary info, tips on preparing for a career in the area and more.

• Occupational Outlook Handbook - Presented by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Has job profiles, job outlook and salary information, as well as links to professional organizations (where you can often view more career details and specific job postings).

  View another similar Career page

  Get more info/help at L&S Career Services

  Exploration Center: Explore further - see a career counselor

  National Career Development Association: trusted links for each step

• American Instutute of Biological Sciences
• Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology
• Careers for Biology Majors
• Careers in the Biological Sciences

If you find an area of interest, explore it more closely, for example:

• Health Careers
• Animal Behavior
• Ecology
• Mammology
• Marine Biology and Oceanography  and UW Handout
• Primatology
• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical/Medical/Biomedical Device/Biotech Sales
• Zoos and Aquaria
• Lab Animal Science
• Careers with Animals (commercial site)
• Forensic biology
• Fisheries Biology
• Herpetology
• Science Writing
• Medical Illustration | Natural Science Illustration
• Wildlife Rehabilitation

If your interest area is not listed above, search for a professional organization related to the topic. Search for "neuroscience society" or "neuroscience association" for example. Then search for career information or job listings to browse. (did you find this list of career info in neuroscience ? or this guide to grad school in neuroscience ?). If you can't find what you need, check this listing of some professional orgs, or see if your advisor can help.

Looking for more info?  Like: What type of background will you need to be hired somewhere? What kind of salary will you make? What will your responsibilities be?
Try looking at current job postings. Browse listings at professional organizations or sites listed above.

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