animal work – Animal Jobs Digest

Extra Income from Home: 7 Ideas for Animal Lovers

By Animal Jobs Digest December 18, 2017All articles, Business ideas, Featured articles2 Comments

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you want to supplement your income, getting a part-time job is just one option. I have ideas for seven part-time, low-risk gigs you can do from home.

Earning potential often depends on your skills and the effort you’re willing to put in. There are no guarantees, and no quick and easy fixes to success that I know of – you still have to put in the work. But it doesn’t have to feel like work when you enjoy what you’re doing. I can attest to that.

Not Getting Job Offers? Several Reasons Why

By Animal Jobs Digest July 18, 2017All articles, How-to succeed

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Rejection stings, especially when it involves a job you really wanted or thought you’d be perfect for.

It’s essential that you learn to not take rejection personally . . .easier said than done, I know. But getting turned down for a job isn’t a reflection of who you are or what you have to offer.

For one, you’re competing against dozens and even hundreds of other applicants – one hiring manager at an animal nonprofit recently told me she and her coworkers receive thousands of applications per year.

There are any number of other reasons why you may not be getting your dream job or called back for interviews. I’ve outlined a few of the big ones below.

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Urban Coyote Ecology – an Emerging Field

By Animal Jobs Digest June 29, 2017All articles, Career options, Featured articles

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Wild animal species once largely restricted to rural areas have become regular urban denizens. In my own mid-sized city, it’s no longer uncommon to see foxes, coyotes, and turkeys roaming freely in residential areas. Several months ago we even spotted what appeared to be a bobcat on the arm of a busy highway. These kinds of sightings were rare as recently as a decade ago.

Caring About Animals Shouldn’t Hurt: How to Protect Your Soft Center

By Animal Jobs Digest May 22, 2017All articles, Featured articles, Inspiration & ideas

By Paula Fitzsimmons

As animal advocates, we’re exposed to some pretty nasty stuff. Failure to properly shield ourselves emotionally may lead to problems later on, sometimes with disastrous results.

Veterinarians, for instance, experience a higher suicide rate than that of the general population, according to an article in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. Shelter workers, vet techs, disaster workers, and anyone in regular, direct contact with distressed animals are susceptible to compassion fatigue.

Those who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to protect animals and the planet are not immune from the hurt, either. Working on legislative bills that don’t pass, dealing with harsh critics, and having to constantly raise funds can also be brutal. And yes, volunteers are also vulnerable.

The Animal Lover’s 2017 Guide to Scholarships

By Animal Jobs Digest April 8, 2017All articles, Featured articles, Tools for success

Please visit A Dollar Wise for an updated look at scholarships for animal lovers.

Get Ready for the New Year: 9 Career-Boosting Activities to Start Now

By Animal Jobs Digest December 26, 2016All articles, Tools for success

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Hiring patterns change throughout the year. It’s not a hard-and-fast rule, but certain periods, like December, traditionally see slower activity, with a general uptick in hiring during January and February. Based on data from the Animal Jobs Digest Jobs section, animal care and protection jobs tend to follow this same pattern.

Why not use these slower times to prepare for the new year? You don’t need to try each of these – especially not all at once. But doing even one of these can potentially increase your chances of finding your dream animal job.

9 Publications That Pay You to Write About Animals

By Animal Jobs Digest September 19, 2016All articles, Career options, Featured articles

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you write about animals, finding markets for your work doesn’t have to be daunting if you know where to look. To help with your search, I’ve created a list of animal-related magazines and websites that pay writers. It’s not a comprehensive list, and doesn’t take into account other markets, including trade journals, animal nonprofits, and consumer magazines with pet columns.

Essential Job Skill: Speaking Up for Animals

By Animal Jobs Digest April 25, 2016All articles, Featured articles, How-to succeed

By Paula Fitzsimmons

If you want a career advocating for animals, you’ll need to get comfortable speaking out for them. Being their voice is an enormous responsibility, and can feel intimidating, but learning a few basic skills can help you speak out effectively . . .without losing your sanity in the process.

Some careers require more advanced communication skills than others – a public relations manager will obviously need to speak out more than an animal caregiver, for instance. Regardless of your position, you’ll need decent communication skills, because you’re representing not only yourself, but an entire organization.

Practicing even one of these tips can make a difference.

Overcome the Barriers in the Way of Your Animal Protection Job

By Animal Jobs Digest April 1, 2016All articles, Featured articles, Inspiration & ideas

By Paula Fitzsimmons

What do you believe is holding you back from finding your animal dream job – No college degree? Lack of experience? Your location? What may seem like a barrier may very well be nothing more than a minor setback, or even perhaps the prelude to an even better opportunity.

You may very well have legitimate reasons for not being able to accomplish what you want to do right now: Vet school is too competitive; family obligations are preventing you from pursuing that advanced degree; you can’t accept an internship because you’re working two jobs. Situations arise . . . I get that.

The Freedom of Flexibility: Customize Your Own Animal Welfare Career

By Animal Jobs Digest March 23, 2016All articles, Career options, Featured articles

By Paula Fitzsimmons

Like it or not, we’ve entered a new economy. Today’s workforce looks different than it did a decade ago – and remotely resembles the one-career-for-life model of the pre-1990s. An increasing number of workers are cobbling together part-time jobs, freelance gigs, and small business ventures in order to eke out a full-time living.