Did you know that animal care is one of the fastest-growing industries in Australia? That's because, according to RSPCA figures, around 63% of Australian households have pets, and that adds up to an awful lot of animals that need caring for.
Dogs make up around 40% of this number, with cats making up around 27% of the pets Aussies own. If your career counselling points you towards animal care, there's a world of possibility ahead of you and an incredibly interesting and diverse choice of roles.
What Qualities Do You Need To Work In Animal Care?
Well, you'll need to have good attention to detail, an ability to work on your own initiative and be the sort of person who can remain calm in stressful situations. Teamwork is another essential skill, as is taking constructive criticism and good customer service skills. These abilities apply to pretty much every role you might occupy in animal care.
What Career Should I Do If I Like Animals?
When it comes to working with animals, a love for these furry friends may be a great starting point, but there are some big questions that you should ask yourself before pursuing a job with animals. You want to make sure that you are making the right decision for the right reason, so let's look at some of the most critical questions.
How Passionate Are You About This Field Of Work?
Often a career working with animals might appear glamorous, but it may not be quite so. Ask yourself how passionate you are about this particular line of work because, at times, it could be dirty and tiring. It's worth doing adequate research into this career path before settling on a decision. You don't want to invest time, money and effort into a career you’re not bothered about.
What Level Of Animal Training Do You Have?
Some animal career paths require specific training, internships, or professional experience. An online course can significantly reduce costs compared to traditional classroom learning, but it still demands a commitment to acquiring the necessary skills. The question is, how far are you willing to go to achieve your career goals?
What Does Vet Career Progression Look Like?
In an ideal world, you'll look at jobs with animals offering solid animal employment prospects. Find out what you are getting yourself into and research career progression. For instance, in animal care, you might start as a veterinary assistant and then work your way up to a veterinary nurse or veterinary Technician. How far you want to go in your career will tell you a lot about the path you should take in animal care. Have you ever thought about becoming a vet nurse?
What Salary Are You Hoping For In Animal Health?
As with many career paths, starting salaries can be challenging, and this is especially true in the animal industry. That's not to say great wages aren't on offer in animal care, as even an animal attendant can earn $50-$60k per year, with qualified vets getting much more.
Zookeepers, however, might get to see exotic animals every day, but their salary is fairly low. Indeed, dream jobs don't always come with dream salaries; so much boils down to what's important to you. Like many other careers, salaries tend to increase as you gain more experience, but they can be on the low side at the outset.
When it comes to jobs working with animals, sometimes it's easy to let our hearts rule our heads, but hopefully, with the help of this article, you'll be able to make the right decision in choosing an animal career. What's more, we're here to ensure you get the training you need affordably.
Training For a Rewarding Animal Care Career With OCA
Once you've chosen the most suitable animal care career path for yourself, you'll need to get on with the task of gaining the required skills. Thanks to our CPD Endorsed video-based online course training, doing so has never been easier, more convenient or affordable. With 1- to-1 mentoring and 24/7 tutorial support, you'll always feel supported as you grow your knowledge. If you are curious about any jobs with animals, chat with a support team worker today.
Take a look at our Study Demo, and you'll see that we offer a stimulating learning experience. By visiting us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au, you'll also see that flexible payment options are available to make our cheap courses - which cover more than 20 different sectors - even more accessible to anyone with the drive to succeed.
To discuss enrolment, learn about our courses, or get information about online study options in Australia, call 1300 611 404 or email us at [email protected]. We’ll respond to your enquiry promptly. Reach out today to find out how you can start a career as a vet nurse!
