What degree should I pursue to be a wildlife biologist?

By Grant Woods,

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Question
Dr. Woods,
I’m a 17 year old junior at Dunmore High School in Pennsylvania. I have been hunting since I was in 4th grade and have been ever since. I love learning about new hunting tips and property management. I look forward to seeing your videos to help me learn more. I’m going to start looking at colleges later this year. I would like to become a wildlife biologist when or another career along the lines of one. I was just wondering what you have degrees in and/or what other degrees I could be looking for when searching for a college. If you could give me any insight on degrees or colleges, preferably in the eastern part of the country, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Nicholas,

I’m proud of you for being proactive about your career!  There’s much competition for wildlife biology jobs. Many colleges offer a wildlife management or wildlife biology degree.  If you wish to work with game animals like deer and turkey you’ll be best served to pursue such a degree. Currently the best wildlife programs are probably at the University of Georgia and Mississippi State!  A high percentage of grads from these programs get jobs in the wildlife field.  There is a major difference in schools and the percentage of their grads that find employment in their chosen field. You should pick a school based on your goals and on the basis of percentage of successful job placement.

You should know that wildlife biology is traditionally a low paying profession.  It often pays half what other professions make – literally.

Most importantly I encourage you to intentionally seek God’s will for your life.  You will be happiest and most successful if you are pursuing the path God created specifically for you!

Enjoy creation,

grant