Zookeeper

The dream job for many school leavers, which is exactly the problem: there is a lot of competition for courses and trainee posts, so work experience at a zoo, farm park or rescue center is close to essential. Routes include apprenticeships from intermediate to degree level, a T Level in animal care, a foundation degree or a science degree. Pay is modest for the effort, typically about £21,000 to start and £28,000 with experience. Days involve cleaning enclosures, preparing food and checking animals for injury or disease, outdoors in all weathers, with evening, weekend and bank holiday shifts. Choose it for the long-term relationship with a collection of animals, not the glamour.