Does anyone know what credintials are required to get a job as an animal trainer at a place like sea world?

Question

I'm tired of being unhappy with my job, so I figured I will just get started on working towards job I've always wanted, but I have no idea where to even start...any info. would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

You don't need a lot of qualifications, it's the competition to get there that makes the job hard to get.
Although they say they prefer their training staff to have a Bsc. Degree in something biology related or psychology, it is not really a requirement. What you apparently do need is scuba certification and just be in a generally good physical condition.

I had a look at a proposal to build an aquarium in Panama a while ago which contained credentials of staff that would be working there, most of them had worked at Seaworld for 5 or more years in animal training or animal care and out of about 9 people only one person had a BSc degree in Marine biology, the others were: Bsc. of psychology, Bsc. of Marketing, Bsc. in business adminstration, Ba in Journalism, bsc of communication,two times courses taken at a college with no mention of a degree and one person just had a high school diploma.
So not havinga Bsc. degree in a relevant subject does not seem to be an obstacle.

You may want to have a look at some of SeaWorld's career pages:
http://www.seaworld.org/animal%2Dinfo/info%2Dbooks/training/animal%2Dtraining%2Dcareers.htm
Or just general information on the job:
http://www.dolphintrainer.com/career_guide.htm
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/381
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/33
http://www.marinemammalogy.org/strat.htm
Be aware that it does not pay well and a lot of trainers work second jobs.

I also recommend you also familiarise yourself with the controversy surrounding captive cetaceans, if only so you are prepared for the type of criticism you may come up against in your future career.
http://members.aol.com/OrcaInfo/
http://planktonforums.org/viewtopic.php?t=4522&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=high+tech+shamu+show&start=10&sid=b9f3669c6dceef18fd4b1f39ee51ded6

Good Luck.

Answer 2

I talked to a few of the trainers at Sea World San Diego and they told me that a degree in Psychology is good to have. They also said that they want volunteer work on your resume. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or something.

But the most important thing you need to work at Sea World, is to be a strong swimmer. The swimming test is grueling and if you don't pass it you don't even get an interview.

The swimming test is swimming from one side of the dolphin stadium to the other and back in under 1:20. Then you have to swim from one side to the other completely under water. Then you have to dive to the bottom of the 28 ft tank and grab a flag from the bottom. Then you have to get back up on the stage "gracefully".

Hope I helped!

Answer 3

I worked with a woman as quickly as who actual grow to be between the running shoes at Sea worldwide. She had all forms of neat thoughts to tell from her reviews there. She did this artwork for approximately seven or 8 years, i think, and finally desperate to get out of it with the aid of fact she pronounced that she might spend 8-10 hours an afternoon interior the water with the animals, and that once awhile, each and every thing in her cloth wardrobe and abode smelled like the fish that she fed the animals at artwork. lol yet she did no longer have any specific coaching or training that qualified her for this activity. i think she pronounced she all started out as a excursion instruction manual at Sea worldwide and in basic terms worked her way as much as a coach's place interior of two years after commencing there. the only way you will ever understand for specific what you will could desire to do to fulfill this dream is to flow after it and spot the place it leads you. ultimate of success!

Answer 4

From what I understand, the "trainers" are usually grad students or interns from colleges that are studying in that specific field.

You can always go to the Sea World site and view their postions available. They have a very helpful career FAQ as well. http://www.becjobs.com/Scripts/Index.aspx

The job search page is http://www.becjobs.com/Scripts/JobSearch.aspx