If you’ve already working on an associate degree in animal science, or you’re thinking about getting one, you might be wondering what you can actually do with it. You know it’s a two-year program with animal biology, nutrition, health, and management, but what does that prepare you for in the real world?
If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about your career options with an associate degree in animal science.
Career Paths You Can Pursue
Animal Care and Support Roles
One of the common career paths for associate degree graduates is in animal care. This can be in animal clinics, veterinary offices, or animal shelters. These roles might be:
- Animal Caretaker: Care for all kinds of domestic and zoo animals in this position. You’ll feed, water, groom, bathe, exercise, and do anything else they need to stay healthy. You might work in animal shelters, kennels, zoos, circuses, and aquariums.
- Veterinary Technician: Help veterinarians treat and diagnose diseases in animals by performing medical tests. You could prepare samples, run tests, clean instruments, and maintain equipment.
- Animal Control Worker: Protect and handle animals everywhere. You might rescue abandoned or unattended animals, capture dangerous animals, investigate mistreatment, or release wild animals back into their habitats.
Agriculture and Livestock Careers
If you’re interested in working in the agriculture sector, then you can find your place in positions like these:
- Meat Cutter: Process different kinds of meat for the market. You might work with pork, beef, chicken, seafood, and other kinds of meat to prepare them for grocery store shelves.
- Farmworkers: This is a traditional, hands-on position on a farm or ranch, feeding and herding livestock, examining animals for illness or injury, and inspecting cattle for quality or injury.
Technicians and Research Assistants
If science and data appeal to you, an associate degree in animal science can get your foot in the door with these positions that support research:
- Agricultural Technician: Work with scientists researching plants, fibers, and animals. You could assist in animal breeding and nutrition, collecting samples, preparing tests, and running experiments.
- Lab Animal Caretaker: Care for and examine animals in laboratories and animal hospitals. You might prepare the animals for tests, collect samples, or care for the general needs of the animal.
Business-Related Roles in Animal Industries
The field of animal science isn’t just animal care, it’s also about business. After a few years in the industry, you might find yourself in business-oriented positions like:
- Agricultural Inspectors: Inspect the quality and safety of agricultural equipment, facilities, and products. You’ll make sure that everything follows company and government regulations for health, quality, and safety.
- Agricultural Managers: Plan, coordinate, and direct the operations of farms, ranches, greenhouses, and other agricultural establishments. You might be in charge of hiring, training, and supervising other workers.
Find Your Place
Pursuing an associate degree in animal science can open up a variety of career paths and positions to you, especially if you like working with animals and want to start right away. You can find positions in animal care, agriculture, research, and even management if you want.
Wherever you see yourself working one day, an animal science associate degree can get you started on your path.