For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with animals and especially marine life. Since visiting SeaWorld for the first time I knew I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to marine mammals; focusing on becoming a behaviourist. I share this incredible dream with so many people across the globe. Its boggles my mind how competitive this field is as I didn’t realise how many of us want to follow the same career path till very recently.
As amazing as it is to know others in this community who want to train marine mammals it’s also very overwhelming. We all want each other to succeed but we also want to be the one succeeding. This job needs you to be the best of the best, standing out among thousands of others striving for the same thing. I am lucky enough to have such a brilliant lifestyle where I can travel the world, form connections with people in the industry, and gain essential experience to help make myself a valuable asset to facilities I apply for in the future. However, I want to share my knowledge as I want to see others achieve their ambitions as much as I want to do so myself.
I have personally found seeking information into becoming a trainer very difficult over the past couple years. Some trainers are very secretive and protective of their job; not wanting to give up any ‘secrets’ as they may feel threatened – which is totally understandable. Whereas, some are very vague in their descriptions of what is acquired to do get the job, but I have also met trainers who couldn’t do more to help you.
This is exactly why I have made this blog – I want those interested in becoming a behaviourist/trainer to have a better idea of what is required of future trainers in more detail. I have put together all the tips, tricks and advice into one handy guide for you to follow if you really aren’t sure about how to get into the industry. I am not a trainer myself (YET) so a lot of this will be based on what I am doing and my own experiences. All trainers have their own unique ways of entering the field and becoming an animal trainer but there is a basic foundation that all trainers must complete before even being considered for the job so I will also include other pathways into the field.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
School: If you are anything like I was in school, you already have a game plan and know you want to work with cetaceans in the future. I found it difficult to choose subjects for my options in secondary school as I wanted to be as best prepared for the future as possible. Though it’s not the most important thing in the world, if you want to choose more relevant options then geography, health & social and triple science are good places to start. Obviously not all schools are the same but these particular subjects will help you gain more knowledge on the natural world and very basic psychology; being useful in college.
College: If you’re studying A-levels then I strongly suggest studying animal science or psychology. These are both highly valued qualifications and surprisingly are more relevant than biology. Its incredibly important that in college you’re starting to develop a greater understanding of behaviour, ecology and the anatomy of living things. Biology definitely isn’t a bad choice but trainers say to avoid choosing marine biology when in university.
I personally never wanted to do A-levels as I learn a lot better when I’m hands-on, due to being a kinaesthetic learner. This is why I chose to do an Extended Diploma as the course had a perfect balance of both theory and practical elements. I was able to gain so much more experience; applying all my theory into real life situations. I positively thrived at college after really struggling with GCSEs so if you know you’re more of a hands-on learner than I highly recommend doing a Diploma instead of A-levels. My Extended Diploma was the equivalent to 3 A-levels but since I achieved the highest end grade at the end of my studying it was worth even more!
University: Just like college, you want to focus on studying animal related degree (Animal Science/ Animal Behaviour & Training/ Zoology/ Zoo Management). Once again, marine biology is not a relevant qualification anymore for most marine facilities due to it focusing on wildlife ecology instead of animal behaviour & welfare. However, psychology is another useful degree if this is something you’d be more interested in studying.
A degree isn’t compulsory for becoming a marine mammal behaviourist but it’s important to remember that most people will have one due to how competitive the field is. You want to be the best of the best so it’s definitely something to consider if you have the opportunity to do so.
SCUBA Certification: This is an essential qualification to have if you want to be a trainer. You’ll often be asked at many facilities to clean the tanks in which the animals call home. This is a basic husbandry task that is carried out by trainers sometimes; however some places will have a diving crew. This is not always the case so you must be prepared for anything. SeaWorld will not even consider you if you haven’t become SCUBA certified before applying.
First Aid & CPR Certification: Just like being SCUBA certified, being First Aid and CPR trained is mandatory for most facilities. When you work with and around a lot of people on a daily basis, especially around water, it’s crucial to have the knowledge of what to do in a potential emergency. Knowing how to perform CPR in an efficient and safe manner could potentially save a life one day, which is why it’s so important that you get this certification sooner rather than later! A quick Google search will inform you of who does First Aid training days in your area.
EXPERIENCE
Animal Experience: In order to become a marine mammal trainer you must have a lot of experience working with a range of species in either a wild or captive environment. This can be achieved through internships, work experience and volunteering, as well as owning pets and spending time doing zoo/aquarium animal experiences. Most facilities will take you on for experience; regarding you are over a certain age usually (18) and have an overall passion and enthusiasm for animals. As I stated before, even owning and caring for pets counts as experience if you actively take part in their health & husbandry.
Many zoological facilities offer work experience and internships for those over the age of 18 and have finished studying. Volunteering also shows a massive amount of determination and motivation on your behalf because employees will see that you have been willing to put up with the not so glamorous jobs to get to where you are now. I am very lucky that I actually adore volunteering and doing all the ‘dirty’ jobs as this makes time spent not being paid and cleaning up poo bearable. But that’s exactly what you will have to do during all forms of experience. You most definitely won’t be cuddling baby animals and stroking giraffes, not until you’ve proven you can get on with the hard work and do a brilliant job.
Remember you don’t have to get experience with cetaceans and pinnipeds in order to have a better chance of achieving your dream job. Marine parks do want to know that you experienced animal behaviour and interactions; again, even if it’s not with marine mammals. I volunteered with herptiles and fish for two years as I never had the opportunity to spend two weeks at SeaWorld’s ‘career camp’, for example. However, the experience and opportunities I gained from those two years have been invaluable and so incredibly important in aiding me in becoming an animal behaviourist. Find what works for you but ALWAYS go above and beyond the call of duty because it will pay off. Working with livestock, reptiles and fish are actually brilliant places to start because these are some of the ‘hardest’ animals to work with due to their husbandry requirements being so precise.
If you want to know a bit more about what I am doing to gain more experience with animals then check out my ‘Monterey Bay Internship’ blog and stay tuned for my ‘Volunteering’ blog that will be up soon.
Non-Animal Experience: It’s not just animal experiences that you need to be looking for when trying to become a marine mammal trainer. Being a good public speaker is vital as you’ll spend most of your time in the public eye, as well as narrating displays, shows and educational tours throughout the day. Employers want you to be confident and comfortable on a microphone in front of both large and small groups of people.
I have never been afraid of talking/performing in front of large groups of people. I was the leading role in many live productions and musicals, even performing at my local theatre in front of hundreds of people, and give educational talks at my college. Many people have told me how intimidating I can be due to my immense amounts of confidence in any situation but this is critically important if you want to work with animals. Scary fact for all you future trainers and keepers: you will spend the majority of time around guests than you will your own animals! Many marine facilities have their own shows, displays and educational talks that they do throughout the day to entertain visitors. You may be asked to be a part of these so showing you are capable of giving intriguing and confident talks is essential.
If your school, college, university or community centre has a debate, acting dancing or singing club then I strongly suggest joining one of them if you know you are someone who is frightened at the thought of public speaking. This way you can build up your confidence in a safe space and can receive positive feedback from class mates and lecturers.
SWIM TEST & FITNESS
Swim test: Firstly (and most obviously), you need to be an incredibly strong swimmer to pass the swim test. It doesn’t matter if you want to work with orcas or sea lions; you’ll have to complete the vigorous fitness tests that come before an interview is even offered. You also need to be strong and athletic as the job is very strenuous; requiring trainers to carry around heavy buckets of fish several times a day, move large objects around the pools, and perform high energy behaviours with the animals. You’re always on your feet, attending to the animals’ every need.
During the swim test you’ll be expected to tread water for lengthy periods of time (sometimes with a weight above your head), freestyle swim and hold your breath for up to 400/500 yards, and dive to depths of around 26 feet. If you pass all the basic in-water elements of the test then you will also be asked to prove fitness by doing weight retrievals, push-ups, bucket carries and haul outs; all in a quick yet ‘stylish’ way that makes it seem effortless.
Some facilities will also want you to prove your confidence on stage by asking you to read from a script into a microphone, learn a simple dance and perform it, or even sing a chorus from your favourite song. They will look for composure during spontaneous situations but also for how well you take to talking in front of a large audience on your own.
If you want to learn more about the whole swim test and interview process I highly recommend reading ‘Wear A Wetsuit At Work’ as it explains in a lot more detail what the whole process entails.
PIECES OF ADVICE
I have three small tips for anyone who wants to become an animal trainer in the future: make connections with people in the industry, ask the right questions, and make an impression. For me, these have been just as helpful as getting good qualifications and experience.
Knowing the right people is critical as everyone knows everyone in this field. If you make friends with one keeper then you may be lucky enough to have your name passed on to others. This will help you network, hopefully getting your name further up the ladder. But it also works the other way; don’t be cocky and arrogant as trainers will remember you and let others know what they thought. As much as people don’t want to be judgy we do form an opinion of someone seconds after meeting them. Make these seconds count. Be passionate. Be enthusiastic. Share your interests in a friendly and confident manner.
Once you’ve made friends then it’s time to ask the right questions. Simply asking ‘how do I become a trainer’ is way too vague. The trainers get asked this question hundreds of times a day so spice it up and ask a variety of well structured questions that show you’re knowledgeable and passionate about the job/animals. Explain a bit about yourself or background after introducing yourself too to help the trainer form a more relevant answer to any questions you have as they will now how serious you are about training.
Here are some good convocation starters and questions you could use next time you are talking to an animal trainer/keeper:
- ‘What was your pathway into the field and what did you find the most challenging part?’
- ‘I am struggling to decide on what I want to study for university. What is your opinion?’
- ‘Are there any facilities you recommend for internships which will aid me in becoming a trainer?’
- ‘I see that you use this type of reinforcement. Why is this beneficial for you and/or the animals?’
- ‘What is your best piece of advices for future trainers?’
If you manage to talk to one of the trainers (or any staff members for that matter) and ask these sort of questions then you have already achieved the final step; making an impression. By this point whoever you are talking to will know if you are the sort of person who will go far in the field or vice versa. Just be yourself, always smile and be honest.
So how do you even go about making connections in the first place? I have been lucky enough to travel the world and meet new people working in the industry; seeing what happens behind the scenes in many facilities. I always engage with people directly who work in these facilities, regardless of their job, and ask them intriguing questions. When you show enthusiasm and talk about your passion it helps get you noticed as people will remember who you are. Therefore, you are more likely going to be offered unique opportunities and given important advice that you may not have gotten if you didn’t approach that person in the first place. All my best experiences have come from simply going up to someone and starting a friendly conversation about something we’re both passionate about. Never be afraid to approach and talk to people as this not only shows that you’re passionate but that you are a determined and confident individual who is willing to seek out more knowledge.
Emailing facilities and certain people is a good place to start if you’re unable to talk face-to-face. This way, you can still ask questions and share information about yourself but they can keep it on them for future reference if they currently font have any opportunities for you.
If you are really struggling to find experience, job opportunities or answers to your questions then the best piece of advice I have for you is to not give up. Persistence definitely plays a massive role in succeeding at your ambitions, as I have personally experienced myself. I too have sometimes found it difficult to find what I’m looking for in this field but never quitting is essential. Try talking to keepers and trainers the next time you’re at the zoo or aquarium. They may be able to give you some advice and point you in the right direction so keep your options open; recommending internships, places to volunteer, or study for a degree etc. They may even help you get in touch with people higher up.
ARE YOU SURE?
So you’ve read this blog and have most likely done your own research on what it takes to become a trainer. You’re probably realizing how difficult it actually is to become a trainer but have you ever wondered how hard it is once you get there?
If you want a glamorous job where you don’t get your hands dirty than this job is perfect for you… Joking! That couldn’t be further from the truth. Being an animal trainer is a full on, strenuous job that is incredibly demanding, both mentally and physically. You are constantly caring for your animals and making sure they’re living the most enriching lives possible. From fish prep to cleaning up faeces, your hands will constantly be covered in something gooey or gross. For all your hard work, you won’t get paid very much and will most likely need another part-time evening job to stay afloat. Of course you’ll be allocated days off but even on these days you will on call 24/7; most likely being at work helping with a sick animal, participating in a scientific research project, caring for a new born animal, volunteering with a new project, taking part in non-routine husbandry tasks, or even missing holidays just because its extra busy in the park.
As well as this, the job can sometimes be very overwhelming for trainers. Many rarely see their families or friends due to living far away or spending so much time at work. This is just one of the many scarifies some trainers have to make and this alone can be too much on a bad day. Personally, the hardest part of the job for me to even cope with now (as someone who isn’t a trainer yet) is death. The thought that at any moment an animal or friend could die is a very painful prospect for me as I know how hard it is to deal with deaths now. Those animals mean the absolute world to me even though I don’t spend every single day by their side, like the trainers. I cannot imagine the pain they feel when they lose an animal, and this does scare me that it will mentally affect me if it does happen. I know it’s very rare but coping with the death of loved ones in the field is something every future trainer should be prepared for as it just part of life.
IT’S WORTH IT ALL
For all the pain, literal sh*t, and hard work there are MASSIVE rewards for those who are truly willing to push themselves. Working with animals is by far one of the most rewarding things anyone could ever do! Forming such remarkable relationships with these incredible creatures is so special and very humbling. It’s not every day you get to say your best mate is a 12,000 pound killer whale. Even though none of the good stuff comes easy it most definitely is worth working hard and waiting for.
You will also have a second family for life. The trainers at all the facilities I have visited have been the most supportive, kindest and considerate people I’ve ever met. They go through thick and thin together and, especially when you spend all day with them, will become a huge part of your life if you are successful at becoming a trainer. It’s so awesome to work with a group of people who are as passionate about the animals as you are; all striving to give them the best lives possible.
Another awesome part of the job is being able to participate in research and conservation projects. At parks like SeaWorld, there will always be new and explorative scientific projects being tested within the parks. The pioneering work being undertaken with animals such as the killer whales is so critical to helping protect and conserve their wild counterparts; of which are facing extinction due to human interference and exploitation. Trainers are sometimes lucky enough to help scientists carry out voluntary studies on the animals that help us learn even more about the species. This is not only informative but also immensely rewarding.
New births, educating and inspiring the public on a daily basis and getting to spend every single day with the animals you love most are also what make being a trainer the best job ever. It really is unlike anything else in the best way possible. And this is me just trying to sum it up because I could truly go on for hours!!
BEST OF LUCK!
I truly hope this blog gave you a better insight into what it’s like to be a marine mammal trainer (from the perspective of someone who isn’t one yet), as well as giving you lots of information on how to become one yourself!
There are so many pathways into the industry and every trainer has a unique story of how they succeeded at getting a job in the industry. Most trainers as awesome and will answer any questions you have. Utilise the opportunity to find out more if you are ever at a marine park and ask the right questions!
I wish you all the best of luck with the future and hope you achieve you ambitions! Remember you can literally accomplish anything if you want it bad enough AND work hard for it.
If you have any other questions, queries, or comments feel free to ask. I am more than happy to answer any questions or simply chat animal! Thank you guys so much for your continuous support and love; I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate every single one of you.
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