Wildlife Conservation Field: Lots of Specialists Needed

I am a BSc in statistics, working with a multinational company as a business analyst with four years of professional experience. I have this great desire to work with people in animal conservation, marine biology, just go to places and be with animals. I am just getting more and more passionate about animals and wish to go 'pro'. I really don't know where to start from. It would be great if you could help.

- Ravi Chopra

It is good to hear that you are keenly interested in working in a field which is of critical importance today. There is a huge need for dedicated, young wildlife and conservation professionals. But before selecting to study specialised subjects like environmental science or wildlife studies, it is important to find out more about the options in this field, and your particular interest in the subject.

The jobs can range from environment education and awareness and research to working directly with organisations involved in environment protection and preservation, wildlife research and natural resource management. There are job opportunities in government and with forest and wildlife research and natural resource management organisations, as also in sanctuaries and zoological parks.

Your background in statistics could be useful in gathering, analysing, and interpreting data on wildlife and animal habitats, including behaviour, disease, ecology, genetics, etc to conserve wildlife species and improve habitat conditions. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international environment conservation organisations, too, are recruiting wildlife specialists for promoting awareness, educating people living near forests, and as consultants for taking up projects such as Project Tiger, Save the Lion and other such programmes.

If you are interested in the environment, with a science background you can do an MSc in this field, offered by several universities, including:

• School of Environmental Sciences, New Delhi (www.jnu.ac.in)
• TERI University, New Delhi (www.teriuniversity.ac.in)

Admission to all these courses is through a test. If you are interested in working with animals, you could do courses in wildlife protection or zoological studies for a job with a zoological park or in wildlife protection organisations. While the job opportunities are limited in India, the awareness of the need to protect our wildlife has lead to the initiation of many programmes in the government and private sectors, where trained professionals are required.

You can specialise in ecological management or wildlife studies from the Salim Ali Institute of Ecology, Pondicherry, and the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. Aligarh Muslim University and the University of Madras offer MSc programmes in wildlife studies. The School of Environment Management at GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi, offers a two-year master's programme in environment management. The course is open to students from science/engineering background, and selection is through a national-level common entrance test.

I passed my Class 12 exams with 62 per cent marks in the biology stream. I wish to become a chef but I have heard that the training is very expansive and I will not be paid much. My second option is to be an airhostess. But I heard this, too, has the same problem. My parents want me to take up medicine, which I am not interested in. They will take an education loan for my higher education. I'm very confused. Please help me.

- Anshu