1. Wildlife Biologist/ Zoologist Natalie VanDerHaegen May 1, 2013 2nd Hour Career/Technology Foundations

2. Introduction “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.” Nature itself can teach us so much that we do not know. Just observing organisms in their natural habitat can show us so many new things. Nature is amazing to the human eye. Ever since I was little, I have loved animals and wanted to work with them. I always watch the different shows on Animal Planet and Steve Irwin was the most inspirational. How much he knew about every type of animal and how he could interact with them made me want to be able to do the same thing. Being a biologist would be the best job I could ask for. I would be excited to go to work everyday knowing I will be doing what I love; being with animals.

3. Nature of Work Develop and conduct experimental studies with animals in controlled or natural surroundings Collect biological data and specimens for further analysis Study the characteristics of animals, such as their interactions with other species, reproduction, diseases, and movement patterns Analyze the influence that human activity has on wildlife and their natural habitats Write research papers, reports, and scholarly articles that explain their findings Give presentations on research findings Make recommendations to policymakers and the general public on wildlife conservation and management issues Estimate wildlife populations

4. Working Conditions Studying animal behavior in the wild is physical and mental Fieldwork can be extremely physical, but on some days you have to work with data making it mental Works both inside and outside depending on the task of the day Can go out into nature in cold or warm climates to studying and gathering information in laboratories Weather can vary based on climates so biologists/zoologists must be prepared hours can vary based on the locations you are working in and what you’re studying

5. Training, Qualification, Advancement Bachelor’s degree definitely needed Master’s degree needed for advancement PH.D needed for independent research and college teaching positions knowledge of computer science needed for biologists when they use geographic systems to do their work Michigan State university offers many classes on zoology and biology; many degrees also Computer Technology, Biology, AP Biology, and Zoology are classes I’ll take at Lake Shore

6. Job, Outlook/Employment employment rising by 7%, not as fast as other occupations many job openings for zoologists and wildlife biologists; not extremely competitive local, state job openings hoping to find a job within the state Michigan; only a few hours from my family in St. Clair Shores

7. Earnings  I’d like to make at least $50,000 a year  pays $57,430 per year; larger than most occupations  about $7,000 more than my expectations  starting off my life, I’ll most likely purchase my own house and put most of my money towards it and a family

8. Related occupation veterinarians make around $82,000 a year outlook is 36%; a lot faster than average most work mainly in offices or private clinics, some go to farms or work outside examine animals to diagnose their health problems, treat and dress wounds, perform surgery on animals, and much more must have completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or D.V.M and most need a Bachelor’s degree would be an ideal job for me because of the fact that I love animals being able to help animals would be amazing for me

9. Summary After researching this career, I still plan to pursue my goal of becoming a wildlife biologist. Researching all the things that I would be required to do, I am most excited to be able to observe the animals’ behavior. I am least excited to give presentations about my findings. Overall, I see that this job will take hard work and dedication, which I am definitely ready to put forward. I have enjoyed this project because it taught me many more things about this job that I did not know. I now see all the requirements that I did not realize before, but I also see the tasks that I will get to accomplish that excite me. Doing this project has excited me to get through school and start this career.

10. Citations http://colleges.collegetoolkit.com/colleges/browse/majors/mi chigan/26/byid/zoology-animal_biology/26.0701.aspx http://colleges.collegetoolkit.com/colleges/browse/majors/mi chigan/26/byid/zoology-animal_biology/26.0701.aspx http://thinkexist.com/quotes/top/occupation/biologist/ http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social- science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm#tab-3 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social- science/zoologists-and-wildlife-biologists.htm#tab-3