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I want to have a career in wildlife biology if I'm not able to go into Federal Law Enforcement, like I plan. What degree would aid me with this, while also looking good on a resume?
As I said, I would like to go into federal law enforcement, but I want a back up plan - I am extremely interested in wildlife biology.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Andrew !
You have two very exciting and interesting career interests which both require a high level of education as well as singular focus. I would like to give you some advice about creating a doable career path and recommend that you never give up either of the career goals that you love. But you will have to make some choices after you are fully informed.
In order to enjoy a great career in law enforcement on the Federal level, you would need to obtain your Masters Degree in Public Administration. There will be a wide range of positions on the federal level that you would be qualified for. It would also to be in your favor to first work on a local level for the experience this career demands and you will work your way up to a Federal position.
A career in Wildlife Biology also requires a demanding focus of study with an academic degree. You will need to choose one or the other, either Federal level law enforcement or Wildlife Biology. A minor in either one would limit your knowledge and lesson your competitive edge when applying for work. If you work for the National Wildlife Federation, their staff is specialized as you will discover when looking at job openings for this department. They hire such positions as Landscaper, Business manager, Marine Conservation Director, Accountant and other positions that require a focused degree and skills. You can easily read about this career on line and see if there is a law enforcement segment position within the agency. Once you have a federal law enforcement degree and work in the career, doors may be opened for you to transition to working in a segment with wildlife. But you will need a solid degree. It wouldn't be enough to major in one and minor in the other because they are two very demanding and focused study paths.
A good way to discover the requirements for working with The National Wildlife Federation would be to register at the employment website Indeed and put in notifications for The National Wildlife Federation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read the employment notices and see what they require in order to apply for the job. There are many organizations for working with wildlife so I left a link to a list of the many places you could apply to. When visiting websites of the agencies, if you have questions you can e-mail them or contact the agency by phone.
Working for Animal Control is a State level position and I have left the link below for you to learn what your state's requirements are for that employment opportunity.
My advice is basically to start out with a career in Federal Law Enforcement because that could lead to an eventual opportunity to work in a capacity with wildlife matters. Read up on as much as possible about the education and experience requirements and decide which way you'd like to take this wonderful career path. Best wishes to you !
TOP U.S. CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS https://www.conservation-careers.com/top-us-conservation-organizations/
MICHIGAN ANIMAL CONTROL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/licensing/animal/officer
You have two very exciting and interesting career interests which both require a high level of education as well as singular focus. I would like to give you some advice about creating a doable career path and recommend that you never give up either of the career goals that you love. But you will have to make some choices after you are fully informed.
In order to enjoy a great career in law enforcement on the Federal level, you would need to obtain your Masters Degree in Public Administration. There will be a wide range of positions on the federal level that you would be qualified for. It would also to be in your favor to first work on a local level for the experience this career demands and you will work your way up to a Federal position.
A career in Wildlife Biology also requires a demanding focus of study with an academic degree. You will need to choose one or the other, either Federal level law enforcement or Wildlife Biology. A minor in either one would limit your knowledge and lesson your competitive edge when applying for work. If you work for the National Wildlife Federation, their staff is specialized as you will discover when looking at job openings for this department. They hire such positions as Landscaper, Business manager, Marine Conservation Director, Accountant and other positions that require a focused degree and skills. You can easily read about this career on line and see if there is a law enforcement segment position within the agency. Once you have a federal law enforcement degree and work in the career, doors may be opened for you to transition to working in a segment with wildlife. But you will need a solid degree. It wouldn't be enough to major in one and minor in the other because they are two very demanding and focused study paths.
A good way to discover the requirements for working with The National Wildlife Federation would be to register at the employment website Indeed and put in notifications for The National Wildlife Federation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read the employment notices and see what they require in order to apply for the job. There are many organizations for working with wildlife so I left a link to a list of the many places you could apply to. When visiting websites of the agencies, if you have questions you can e-mail them or contact the agency by phone.
Working for Animal Control is a State level position and I have left the link below for you to learn what your state's requirements are for that employment opportunity.
My advice is basically to start out with a career in Federal Law Enforcement because that could lead to an eventual opportunity to work in a capacity with wildlife matters. Read up on as much as possible about the education and experience requirements and decide which way you'd like to take this wonderful career path. Best wishes to you !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. ...
Bachelor of Public Administration. ...
Paralegal Studies. ...
Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law Studies. ...
Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. ...
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. ...
Master of Criminal Justice
If you can take some of these related courses as electives. Homeland Security has good internship opportunities.
Bachelor of Public Administration. ...
Paralegal Studies. ...
Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law Studies. ...
Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. ...
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. ...
Master of Criminal Justice
If you can take some of these related courses as electives. Homeland Security has good internship opportunities.
Updated
Mark Francis’s Answer
Andrew, I would recommend that you first study the education requirements for each of the federal law enforcement agencies that you are interested in eventually applying for. (You might be able to best do this via USAJOBS.GOV). I believe that you will find that many federal law enforcement agencies, if not most, do not care as much about the actual subject of your four-year degree as they do about your GPA. The federal law enforcement agencies have academies where they will teach you the basics on how to perform your duties as a federal law enforcement official. So, if you are truly interested in wildlife biology, I would strongly suggest that you acquire a four-year degree in that. With such a degree, and a good GPA, I believe that you would be marketable for many federal law enforcement entry employment positions, as well as federal wildlife biologist entry employment positions. Note that some federal agencies even contain entry employment positions in both fields, like, for example, the US Fish and Wildlife Service. I hope that this feedback helps you. I wish you all the best. Mark