Zoo Science Majors' Readiness for Employment: Perceptions of Industry Employers, Program Partners, and Graduates

There are a growing number of zoo science degree programs in the US, designed to prepare entry level employees for a zoo or aquarium career that includes animal care, conservation, and public education. These bachelor's degree and associate degree programs include a focus on many areas of science as well as a variety of practical knowledge. Currently all programs are partnered with institutional members of the Association of zoos and Aquariums or the American Alliance of Museums, providing experiential learning internships as an essential part of their curriculums. This bounded case study of one university degree program used mixed methods to explore the perceptions of graduates, employers, and representatives of university program partner institutions regarding the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary in an entry level hire and how they are acquired in this program. Interviews and surveys and artifact coding revealed the subject areas, soft skills, and skills employers appreciate in an applicant. Results revealed that the university's curriculum is relevant and that a few adjustments in emphasis for some subjects are recommended by the researcher. The zoo industry's current focus on the core values of animal welfare for all taxa will necessitate a shift of focus in some curriculum elements. AZA's DEAI initiatives to enable institutions to mirror their surrounding communities will greatly impact the value of applicants with zoo science degrees, making it necessary for Higher Education to examine DEAI efforts in partnership with employer programming. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]