Zoology : Your skills

Studying zoology provides you with specialist knowledge in areas such as ethology (the science of animal behaviour), animal biology (particularly physiology, molecular biology and genetics), conservation and ecology.

In addition to this subject-specific knowledge, you will also develop practical experience of modern laboratory and field research techniques, giving you a range of technical skills.

Studying for a degree in zoology also provides you with a strong set of transferable skills valued by many employers. These include:

• analytical skills - to understand, interpret and manipulate complex scientific data and statistics;
• data-handling skills - to record, collate and analyse data using appropriate techniques and equipment;
• written communication skills - to produce reports and write up research projects;
• presentation and oral communication skills - to present research findings and make presentations in a clear, succinct way;
• project management skills - organising and undertaking research projects, experiments, etc (including budgeting, contingency planning and time management);
• a good understanding of information technology;
• the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Some three-year degree courses include the opportunity to opt for a four-year sandwich degree. The third year is spent undertaking a work placement, either in the UK or abroad, which provides valuable practical experience and enables you to further develop your transferable skills.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. Take a look at job application advice for some useful tips.