In 2008, six months after graduation, around 60% of zoology graduates had entered either full- or part-time paid employment. Nearly 7% of new zoology graduates in employment had started jobs related to scientific analysis and research, 16% were in other technical and professional roles, while about 5% had entered professional or managerial roles in commerce, industry or the public sector, 4% were in business and financial roles, and 3% in sales and marketing. Many will have taken a job they do not regard as permanent and will use this as a 'stepping stone' to gain experience for their longer-term career aims. Around a third of zoology graduates were in clerical, retail or catering work six months after graduation and about 6.5% were unemployed, cclose to the national graduate unemployment rate of around 6%. Where are the jobs?Zoology graduates are qualified for a variety of careers both in biological fields, and in areas where specific scientific knowledge may not be required. Employers include: universities and government research institutions; the National Health Service (see NHS Careers) and medical research establishments; water authorities; zoos (see British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)); wildlife trusts and environmental protection agencies (e.g. The Wildlife Trusts). For more ideas, see Animaljobsdirect. There are opportunities in consultancy in the private sector and in technical and research roles with veterinary, agricultural, fisheries and biotechnology organisations, and with other employers such as chemical, pharmaceutical, and petroleum companies. Zoology graduates can also find work in the education sector, with museums or other cultural organisations, or move into other jobs such as management, marketing, sales or scientific journalism. For an insight into potential employment areas see: See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas. Statistics are collected every year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected within just six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out what do graduates do? and your degree...what next?
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