Personal Statement

Nature and her creatures feature constantly in my life story. First of all, living in the Prescott mountains provided me with ample opportunity to observe all the complexities of the natural world from tiny insects to wild coyotes. Over 10 years I learned a great deal about domesticated animals by raising numerous litters of puppies and kittens which increased my love for animals. From an early age, my parents instilled a love of science and learning that I keep with me to this day. Even now, I avidly watch wildlife documentaries; always eager to discover a new aspect of animal behavior or an entirely new creature itself. I chose to research zoology due to my innate curiosity, love for animals, and science. Zoology incorporates all these aspects

In an article by The Princeton Review, a zoologist’s average salary at the start of their career is $28,000 which increases as years of experience is gained (1). Inexperienced zoologists earn less because they have not built a resume that would afford them a higher paying position. Furthermore, the database on O*NET Online reports “$29.10 hourly” as the median wage earned by zoologists in 2016 (4). $30.00 is well above minimum wage but a zoologist’s unpredictable hours mean a far less steady wage. The median wage for zoologists was “...$60,520 in May 2016” according to the database run by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (1). A salary of $60,520 is more than double the poverty level for a family of two making a career in zoology rewarding. Finally, a piece on zoology by genome.org states that the range in salary “...is $33,550 - $90,850” every year (1). As with every occupation, the wages earned vary depending on where a zoologists is employed; one working for the government will have a different salary than one employed by a university. The starting wage, hourly and annual earnings all provide incentive to begin a career in zoology. The career of zoology has always held an interest for me as an animal lover. Zoology centers on the study and protection of species around the world. Succeeding in this career necessitates technical skills among many others. Zoologist spend their time complying, analyzing, and sharing research among the public. The salary for zoologists is a stable income once a career is