I Might Want A Job In Aquariums?

Hi! Im 16 years old right now and I’ve wanted to be an architect all my life. However, for the past year or so, I’ve kind of lost that passion and I feel that my calling is aquariums. I’m worried though, what will happen? What if I fail and end up working in a petsmart. I think I can get a degree in aquatic botany or zoology or some combination. I’m kind of scared though. If any of you have any experience in this, is it a good idea? How much is the expected salary? i have family in Europe and speak fluent French so I could move to England or france or something to work there because aquascaping is bigger there than in the US. Thanks for the help!

 

Woah, I'm amazed at how similar we are. Im going to college next month pursuing my passion for architecture. I also have thought about just trying a job at a fish store, just to put my experience to use and I love working with fishes and talking about them. But, to me its not a long term goal. I think you should go for it if you really love doing it. If you have a passion for it, you're gonna be good at it, and that will get you far. Also, you are still very young, your mind could change in a few years or so, so I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself yet. Good Luck!

 

If you can get a job at a pet store go ahead. After working there a while you may decide that's not what you want to do all day every day. I saw a post a few days ago from someone (barbiespoodle maybe; I wish I had paid more attention) who loves gardening in addition to fish keeping, so at one point she had got a job at a store taking care of plants. She said after doing that all day about the last thing she wanted to do when she got home was tend to her own garden. It's just something to think about.

Also, if you want to have a career with fish you need to do a lot of careful research into your career after college. There's nothing wrong with working in retail, but in order to make decent money you'll need to own your own store, or at least be in management. If that's the case you'll likely benefit more from a business degree than focusing on zoology, marine sciences, or something similar. If you want to go in a different direction just make sure it will pay enough to justify the expense of college.

And above all, get that part-time job, save almost all of the money you make, work your way through college, and avoid student loans like the plague. It will be a lot of work, but you'll be grateful when you finish school debt free, and look around at the other people your age who will be working for years, and decades in some cases, to pay off their loans.

 

I'd get a job at a LFS to start. I worked at a LFS and loved it. I also saw tho how most "aquarium jobs" don't pay well or there just isn't a lot of the jobs. Like I remember one of my brothers friends was insistent she wanted to be a dolphin trainer. Picked a school for a elaborate program and then realized there's actually like 10 jobs in the entire country for what she wants and ton's of people chomping at the bit for them. So if you have 500 people after 10 jobs that don't open often there is an issue.

You could get into some sort of exotic animal vet program and focus on fish, then you could work at zoos or work with peoples pets.

I have a friend that worked at a LFS with me in high school, went on to open his own tank maintenance business in college. Now has his degree in marine biology. I'm not sure what he does but its something with ocean wildlife.

 

Hi! Im 16 years old right now and I’ve wanted to be an architect all my life. However, for the past year or so, I’ve kind of lost that passion and I feel that my calling is aquariums. I’m worried though, what will happen? What if I fail and end up working in a petsmart. I think I can get a degree in aquatic botany or zoology or some combination. I’m kind of scared though. If any of you have any experience in this, is it a good idea? How much is the expected salary? i have family in Europe and speak fluent French so I could move to England or france or something to work there because aquascaping is bigger there than in the US. Thanks for the help!

Good luck!! I would definitely suggest working at a LFS, like e_watson09 suggested. I wish I could. It would be a good starter experience and prepare you for the REAL WORLD!!

 

Working at a fish store is a great way to check if you actually enjoy caring for aquariums for work. Additionally, many public zoos & aquariums have volunteer programs you can join which give you great experience at the larger facilities and a better idea of what you are specifically interested in.

You might want to decide if you're more interested in the biology side of care (animal keeper, vet, marine biologist, etc) or in the systems required to keep them alive (life support equipment, water chemistry, etc). Both are critical roles at aquariums and can fit a variety of people. There are special colleges for aquarium technicians which can get you into the industry quicker than a 4-year degree. One such place is Aquarium Science Program - Oregon Coast Community College

Additionally, since you have some interest in architecture, there are companies which design and build large aquariums. That might be a good fusion of architectural design and aquatic stuff if you think you'd like a hand in both worlds. One such company is https://longhornorganics.com/

Stuff is obviously chaotic right now with the pandemic, but you've got so many years ahead to make your choices and change your mind, so don't panic! I'm 28 and am making a big career change myself right now, it can happen anytime.

 

Finder Listing

 

I was looking for jobs/apprenticeships I could do and I found this (it didn’t apply to me because it requires a bachelors in biology)

 

Jett, yea that was me. I learned not to let my loves become my career for the reason stated, I just didn't want to do it at home after I did it all day at work. In my case, it took away from my pleasure and my gardens suffered, became a weed choked, dried out mess. And I just didn't like working in a garden center even as much as I love plants, it was all about the money, not the plants, just sell to anyone who wanted the plant, not the person who actually knew how to take care of the plant. OK, they are plants, but is it really any different in a pet store?

But that is me, does not mean that is everyone, just my personal experience.

 

Start off in pet stores to get experience. If possible, do aquarium maintenance services to familiarize yourself with equipment and setups, and also meet people who can help you in the industry. You will need a firm understanding of both freshwater and marine systems.

With a degree in Marine Biology, Zoology, Marine Mammal Biology, or Animal Psychology, you may be able to work at a large public aquarium. I recently switched my major from Marine Biology because there are not many jobs in the Marine Bio field, so keep that in mind.

I am pursuing a career in IT at the moment to help get stable, as getting IT certifications is faster and less expensive than a degree. I am also pursuing an online degree in Business. I want to save up and open my own store one day, even if it takes 10+ years. I have worked in the pet store industry for a few years and basically ran a store by myself four days a week. Handling customers, cleaning, water changes, communicating with vendors, maintenance, receiving and handling of merchandise, etc.

 

Hi! Im 16 years old right now and I’ve wanted to be an architect all my life. However, for the past year or so, I’ve kind of lost that passion and I feel that my calling is aquariums. I’m worried though, what will happen? What if I fail and end up working in a petsmart. I think I can get a degree in aquatic botany or zoology or some combination. I’m kind of scared though. If any of you have any experience in this, is it a good idea? How much is the expected salary? i have family in Europe and speak fluent French so I could move to England or france or something to work there because aquascaping is bigger there than in the US. Thanks for the help!

You could always combine the two...do architecture and minor in bio or zoology (vice versa), then work with incorporating large water features into building design or start an aquarium setup/maintenance company.

I’m graduating this year with a Bio degree with a concentration in ecology and a minor in studio art, but plan to get into a PhD program since I am interested in research. So, there is also the matter of what further education to consider alongside career paths you like, as some may require other certifications or degrees.

You definitely have time to figure this out though. I would try to keep your options with this a bit open for now and pick up a job at a fish store or hatchery if you can. Some people burn out on the hobby when it becomes a job, so it is good to figure that aspect out. Personally, I work with fish all day and am still just as enthusiastic about my tanks, but it can take a bit to get some motivation after long days.

 

Now I'm going to speak as an old lady who has gone through many life changes. You're 16, still just discovering yourself. At this point in your life the world is an open book, you just don't know what page to land on. And that's great, you have so many options to explore and time to explore them.

So try the job at a pet store first, see how that suits you. Who knows, you may be a natural at it and end up being able to pursue that course, more than just a job at petsmart. Or maybe while doing that, you discover that you miss architecture and drift back into that. Hey it's even possible you can do both, put in works of art in the way of aquariums or water gardens in the structures you design.

But please, at this point in your life, don't tie yourself down to one or another thing. Take your time to find the right fit for you. After all, you have your whole life a head of you, make sure it's a happy life.

 

. . . But please, at this point in your life, don't tie yourself down to one or another thing. Take your time to find the right fit for you. After all, you have your whole life a head of you, make sure it's a happy life.

That's excellent advice. While I wasn't unhappy before, I was in my late 40's before I landed in a job that I enjoyed and was good at, and paid fairly well.

 

It sounds like maybe you're more into plants than fish? I could be wrong, but I just don't think there's much demand for aquatic botanists. Fish Veterinarians however is a growing field.

Dr. Jessie outlined the steps she took in her career and tips on where to volunteer along the way. She now has a booming business and works with everyone from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to people with a betta, if they can afford her. She also makes house-calls in a car that looks like a fish.

https://cafishvet.com/aquatic-veterinary-medicine-resources/