Are you keen to be surrounded by animals while you work in STEM? We’ve got just the careers with animals list for you!
We’re looking at careers where people work with animals in their day-to-day, either taking care of them, researching different species, or working alongside them. Check out the full A-Z list below and find your dream job alongside some wonderful creatures!
For more on STEM careers and study options, sign up to our weekly e-newsletter
Animal Careers
If you’ve only got about 2 minutes, have a watch of this video showcasing some of the careers below!
A is for Animal Behaviourist
If you enjoy psychology and want to understand animals better, consider entering this profession! You can study the behaviour of animals in various environments to understand their actions and improve their welfare.
B is for Biologist
Conducts research on different animals, plants, and microorganisms and their interactions with the environment. You can specialise in any area you would like, many involve working and interacting with animals!
CAREERS WITH ANIMALS ROLE MODEL: Meet Animal Biologist, Dr Ludovic Dutoit
C is for Conservationist
Works to protect and preserve natural ecosystems, wildlife, and biodiversity. You could be working to help save an ecosystem for a given species, or just work on the conservation efforts of a single species.
CAREERS WITH ANIMALS ROLE MODEL: Working on TV to help conservation efforts, Ben Dessen
D is for DNA Analyst
Analyses genetic material to assist in criminal investigations, research, and medical diagnoses.
E is for Entomologist
If you’ve ‘pollen’ in love with bees, you can help to understand their behaviours and lives through studying them! Entomologists study many different insects and their relationships with humans, other organisms, and the environment.
F is for Forensic Zoologist
You could use your knowledge of animals to help solve crimes! Possibly even helping solve crimes against animals.
G is for Gastroenterologist
Studies the organs in the digestive system, treating gastrointestinal diseases and studying their function. They can answer really important questions like why wombat poo is cubed!
H is for Herpetologist
If you love snakes and frogs, you would love being a Herpetologist! They study reptiles and amphibians, looking at all things from behaviour to anatomy.
Check out more awesssssome jobs with reptiles.
I is for Ichthyologist
Similar to the above, Ichthylogists focus on one species… fish. Their different species, biology, and ecosystems.
J is for Jockey
Jockeys work with horses to perform under pressure during races. To be a successful jockey, you need to know the biomechanics of horses, as well as nutritional science and fitness to perform yourself.
K is for K-9 Unit Officer
Who wouldn’t want a dog as your closest co-worker? In this career you would train police dogs to assist in law enforcement duties such as search, rescue, and drug detection.
L is for Lab animal manager
When research studies involve animals, you can ensure their welfare and wellbeing by being a lab animal manager.
M is for Marine Biologist
Studies marine animals and ecosystems to understand ocean life and human impact on the planet.
CAREERS WITH ANIMALS ROLE MODEL: Get to know the day in a life of a Marine Biologist
N is for Nutritionist
Researches what animals need to eat to have a proper diet and nutrition to promote health and manage diseases.
O is for Ophthalmologist
Studies the structure of the eyes in different animals, including the mantis shrimp, which has more colour receptive cones in their eyes than any other animal. Meaning they see the most colours!
P is for Pharmacologist
Researches and develops new drugs and therapies by studying the effects of chemical substances on biological systems.
Q is for Quarantine Officer
Enforces regulations to prevent the spread of diseases by monitoring and controlling the movement of animals, plants, and products.
R is for Rehabilitator
Cares for injured, orphaned, or sick wildlife with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitats. This job requires a lot of knowledge about the animal you are looking after.
S is for Surgeon
You could perform life-saving surgery on animals great and small! From a veterinary clinic to large reserves.
T is for Toxicologist
Studies the effects of chemicals, drugs, and other substances on living organisms. This can be applied to anti-venom creation, or even looking at toxins that affect your favourite animals.
U is for University Professor
Share your passion for animals! Teaching could have it’s own A-Z list with anything from anatomy to zoology.
ROLE MODEL: Meet a Professor of Mathematical Biology
V is for Veterinarian
Provide medical care to animals, including diagnosis, treatment, and surgery. Taking care of domestic pets, wildlife, and even zoo animals!
ROLE MODEL: What’s it like being a Vet?
W is for Wildlife Photographer
Captures images of animals and natural environments, often for conservation or educational purposes. To find the species that you are looking to photograph, you need to know a lot about them. Alongside some maths skills for framing the right picture and settings.
X is for X-ray technician
Is this the only x-named career… absolutely not… is it the only one we can think of?… yes. But it’s still exciting! You can image so many different animals, both to learn about their physiology and potentially treat them for medical purposes.
Y is for Yard Manager
Oversee the operations of large farms, often involving large data about the livestock your taking care of. Take care of operations and maintenance of a facility’s outdoor areas, often in transportation or logistics industries.
Z is for Zoo educator
Sure you could be a zoologist… but you could also learn zoology to teach the public about animals. and conservation efforts through educational programs!
‘kay, we’re totally stumped on ‘Z’. This is a tough one! Got any ideas for us? Leave a comment below!
Did you love our A-Z of careers with animals?

Be sure to check out the rest of our A-Z series:
Check out these ones too:
- The A-Z of STEM careers
- The A-Z of health jobs
- The A-Z of medical jobs
- The A-Z of VET
- The A-Z of getting a job
- The A-Z of Open Day
- The A-Z of STEM degrees
- The A-Z of uni electives
- The A-Z of space careers
- The A-Z of careers in AI
- The A-Z of renewable careers
- The A-Z of maths careers








