Blog Post #3

When I go to college I plan to major in pre-veterinary medicine or animal science as I look towards veterinary school after college. Some common careers for individuals who major in those fields include veterinarians, zoologist, and biologist.

A Veterinarians job is to provide medical services for animals and give advice to pet owners about the care and breeding of their pets. Veterinarians must be good at working with animals and must be tuned in to the animal’s discomfort. They must be able to calm and reassure frightened animals. Since animals cannot communicate their symptoms to the doctor, veterinarians must depend on their own and the owners’ observations to make their diagnoses. They also have to have good communication skills in order to communicate with the pet owners. Veterinarians must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and be licensed by the state. It takes six to eight years to complete a D.V.M. The first two years of the program consist of general science studies at the college level. Most vets complete a four-year degree in biological or physiological sciences. In their senior year of college, aspiring vets apply to four-year veterinary programs. In the veterinary program, students acquire practical experience by working in clinics and assisting in performing surgery. During the last two years of vet school, students do clinical rounds. Then, they complete a three-year residency. Only then are they eligible to sit for the licensing exam. About 85 percent of those who take the exam pass it. At this point some doctors continue their studies in a specialized area of veterinary medicine, such as ophthalmology or surgery. After all that education, veterinarians make an average salary of $96,140 before taxes.The highest paid in the veterinarian profession work in California, New York, Connecticut  New Jersey, and Delaware  In general, veterinarians in metropolitan areas eared more than those in rural areas.

A zoologist is a biologist that that specializes in the study of animals. Zoologists generally focus on one aspect of study such as entomology (insects), ethology (animal behavior), or herpetology (reptiles), and work to increase scientific knowledge and develop practical applications based on their research. Possible professions include studying animals in their natural surroundings to improve the conditions of those in captivity, devising methods of population management, lecturing or taking faculty positions at universities, or educating the public about wildlife awareness. Most graduate schools with a Zoology Department offer interdepartmental programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. M.S. degrees are completed by conducting original research spanning two to three years. Ph.D. degrees, offered to those who already hold an M.S. in Zoology or related areas, are generally completed in five years. However, the educational requirements for zoological fields vary and often include at least a four-year degree in zoology or biology as well as experience with animals and laboratory research. Depending on your education and experience, salaries can range to $50,000 to $70,000 with an average of $61,880 before taxes. California, Washington, Florida, Alaska, and Oregon have the highest employment level and Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut  and Rhode Island have the highest average salaries. People with this job are generally very observant and meticulous because they have to gather conclusions by observing animals. They also have to be very dedicated to their line of work because in many cases their work is self directed.

Biologists study humans, plants, animals, and the environments in which they live. They may conduct their studies at the cellular level or the ecosystem level or anywhere in between. Biologists are interested in learning from every facet of life and study life to uncover its secrets and to find ways to solve problems. Biologists generally love what they do as many put in long hours, compelled by their dedication to work beyond the requirements of their job. Biologist also have to have good communication and social skills because relationships with colleagues can be intense and often are substitutes for average social interaction. Like zoologist, biologist are extremely dedicated to their work and have to be able to work on their own. The education requirements of biologist vary as the positions vary. Most individuals in positions of authority have extensive post-graduate degrees, but entry-level positions are available for people with only a bachelor’s degree in a biological science. Most researchers have a master’s degree; they direct research and perform out-of-lab functions, such as on-site sampling and interviewing about medication side effects. Those who wish to direct the research functions must obtain a Ph.D. in a biological science. Biologist have an average salary of $74,720 before taxes with the salaries ranging from $42,480 -$115,260. The states with the highest employment level are California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Texas, and Florida, and the states with the highest average salaries are Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and District of Columbia. Generally the coastal states have a higher average salary.