Animal care worker

The most accessible way to start working with animals every day, and a sensible first step toward nursing, zoo or welfare roles. You could work in an animal welfare center, kennels, a wildlife park or a pet store. Routes in include a college course in animal care, an apprenticeship that mixes workplace training with study, or applying directly, and volunteering first makes applications far stronger. Be clear-eyed about pay: typically about £21,000 to start and only around £24,000 with experience. The work is physically demanding and dirty, and includes caring for sick or distressed animals, so patience and calm under stress matter more than any certificate.