How One Can Start a Career as an Animal Scientist: Roles, Education, Career Scope, Employment

Who is an Animal Scientist?

Animal Scientists study various species of domestic animals and frequently also work with livestock to understand the chemical and biological processes by which the animals grow. They play a vital role in maintaining and improving the quantity and quality of countries' food supplies. Several usable or edible products contain the animal's essence, so in order to prevent any diseases among humans, Animal Scientists work towards the veterinary field. They are also, in short, helping the animals by preserving their both health and welfare. Animal Scientists also focus their interest in the critical areas, including reproduction, nutrition, growth, development and animal genetics.

What are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Animal Scientist?

The duties of an animal scientist may vary as per his/her job prospect. He/she might be employed in the field of research, laboratory, production, education, or regulation. On the one hand, some animal scientists' job positions are primarily fixed. On the other hand, some animal scientists have the opportunity to work across various fields. Here we have mentioned the duties which an Animal Scientist usually do across the diverse area:

Research/Laboratories: Animal scientists are duly responsible for designing research studies in various experimental areas and laboratories. In addition to that, they also provide assistance to different lab assistants, analyse results, collect data, etc. They publish the results of their research works in various newspapers, magazines, journals or corporate reports.

Animal production facilities: Animal Scientists work across various food industries where the animal milk, meat, and egg are tentatively used. They are conducting research across sectors where the animal's essence is used in large numbers. In foreign countries, meat products are generally made, so one can easily find Animal scientists in overseas industries. They are given the task of examining and determining whether the animal's egg, meat, and milk do not contain any harmful elements. 

Education: Across the education sector, animal scientists provide teaching to various undergraduates and postgraduate students who have enrolled in the field of animal science. They are also conducting lab work in academia. Also, they are involved in research studies; their research studies are published. Publishing research studies are of prime importance to college students as well as other individuals to understand the intricacies involved in animal science.

Regulatory agencies: Animal scientists work for state and federal government regulatory agencies and may be involved with health inspections of farms, dairies, and feedlots. These scientists ensure that these production facilities follow health codes and laws about how animals should be treated.

What is the Education required to become an Animal Scientist?

To become an Animal Scientist, you need to complete your 12th Science and then complete the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. 

Undergraduate degree: You need a B.Sc in Animal Science, which will help you start your career journey in animal science. In this degree, you will be studying animal anatomy, nutrition, reproduction, laboratory science, livestock, biology, chemistry, and their behaviour.

Postgraduate degree: After completing the bachelor's degree, you can opt for M.Sc in Animal Science or M.Sc in Animal Biotechnology. This degree will help you become a successful Animal Scientist. 

Doctorate degree: Apart from the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, you can also pursue a Ph.D in Animal Science. This will add more value to your education in the field of animal science and also provide you with scalable opportunities.

What are the Top Colleges to attend to become an Animal Scientist?

• Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar
• Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur
• Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner
• Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati
• Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar
• Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar

What are the Skills required to become an Animal Scientist?

If you want to become a successful Animal Scientist, you need to have the following skills:

• Active listening: You must have the ability to collaborate and interact with the team members involved in your research studies as well as in academia.
• Interpersonal skill: Have the ability to coordinate with your teammates.
• Time management: In the field of animal science, you also need to conduct the research by sticking to the deadlines and schedules.
• Verbal and written communication: You must have strong written and verbal communication skills in order to communicate the research findings and observations in publications, reports, magazines and journals.
• Independence: Animal Scientist aspirants must have the ability to do research with little guidance, come up with their own methods, and come to their own conclusions

What are the Future Prospects in the Animal Science field?

1. Veterinarian- A veterinarian specialises in veterinary medicine and examines animals to diagnose them with proper treatment. Additionally, they also carry out the animals' surgeries. 
2. Animal Biotechnologist- This individual studies the impacts of nutrients on animal health. The individual also carries out specific tasks like conducting research trials, developing new animal feed, assisting with breeding, and many more.
3. Animal Care Specialist- Animal care specialists are responsible for providing primary care and ensuring that animals are safe and healthy. Animal care workers feed, groom, and clean cages for animals.
4. Meat Inspector- Meat Inspectors are the ones who check the meat of the animals in order to ensure the meat is fit for human consumption.
5. Marine Biologist- Marine biologists study marine biology by studying marine animals and analysing the marine environment. 
6. Wildlife Biologist- A wildlife biologist studies the behaviour of wild animals and ecosystems. They also conduct research projects in order to figure out several animal species.

What are the Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook in the Field of Animal Science?

Animal Scientists can advance to work independently on more ambitious research projects. They may gradually supervise other scientists and technicians who are involved in the research. Apart from the research areas, an animal scientist has impeccable job opportunities in the education sector. In this sector, they will get the exposure to teach the graduates and postgraduates students and conduct the research studies. This employment opportunity in education can be primarily seen in foreign countries. The competition for jobs in academia, especially professorial positions at colleges and universities, is likely to stay high.

Individuals with advanced degrees in animal science will continue to have the most job opportunities in the field as a whole. Recent innovations and advances in biotechnology should also continue to create jobs for animal scientists with a wide range of backgrounds.