Arachnids for a career

[Benjaminn]

As any other 16 year old would/should be thinking about is a career path and choice. I'm wanting to do something involving arachnids and reptiles but specifically the first of the two, but by the looks of it there aren't really many options if any. I want to do something other then say working at the local reptile specialty shop.

Is there someway that I can work with these animals and actually make sufficient amounts of money?
What are the options, and how could you even get funded for that?
Would the only option really be to just pick another career and keep this as just a part time hobby?

Any input from your experience or opinion is appreciated.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Your best bet for getting answers to your questions would be to head over to the web site of the American Arachnological Society at www.americanarachnology.org and use the "Contact" form to send your questions. The American Arachnological Society is made up of professional biologists who specialize in arachnids. If they can't put you in touch with someone that can answer your questions, then I don't know who would.

 

[viper69]

As any other 16 year old would/should be thinking about is a career path and choice. I'm wanting to do something involving arachnids and reptiles but specifically the first of the two, but by the looks of it there aren't really many options if any. I want to do something other then say working at the local reptile specialty shop.

Is there someway that I can work with these animals and actually make sufficient amounts of money?
What are the options, and how could you even get funded for that?
Would the only option really be to just pick another career and keep this as just a part time hobby?

Any input from your experience or opinion is appreciated.

Sufficient money- define that

High school>BS>PhD>postdoc>faculty

Most people become faculty - either tenure track at RO1 universities

Or tenure track at teaching universities

You’re only limited by your imagination

And you’re too young to give up so easily.

 

[Marlana]

While I agree you shouldn’t give up easily and should fully research every possible option in arachnids. The fact remains that it is a very small field and if you aren’t super into biology…it gets even smaller. As there aren’t any colleges teaching Arachnology specific courses that I’m aware. You’d basically be going for biology and focusing on arachnids when you get past the basics of biology. Of course there’s probably other options but mainly research and teaching is what comes to my mind. Reach out to the Arachnology society as mentioned above and see if any of those careers fit you.

And I just want to say if you don’t know what you want to do now…or at 18…or 23. That’s okay! We put so much pressure on kids to know what they want to do and fully commit at an age where they barely know themselves. And to go far into debt to pursue it. Don’t feel like you need to make a decision today or even when you graduate if you are at all unsure. My husband went to school for computers and realized he completely hates office life after graduation. Now he’s a machinist at Boeing and makes amazing money…he started making nothing and worked his way up and Boeing paid for whatever classes he needed. You don’t need to know your full career path at 16.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I earned a PhD in a field that I do not currently work in, and honestly many PhDs in this field do not find work in. No regrets about this -- not one. If I were to do things over again, I'd do the same.

 

[Hakuna]

Become a biochemist and study the venom of spiders. That could be lucrative.

 

[8 legged]

Become a biochemist and study the venom of spiders. That could be lucrative.

Exactly! Acquire some special knowledge and do a proper degree. Then you can build on it!
But the spider guy who has an HP and a YouTube channel will not be taken seriously sooner or later and you will not be able to support a family...

 

[Edan bandoot]

I originally wanted to try for an entomology PhD, the money/time invested ratio was pretty bad though. Maybe sometime in the future I'll revisit that when personal finance isn't so scarce. Maybe @wizentrop has some insight on the money aspect.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

I think that realistically you should broaden your focus a bit. Maybe biology related in general, because narrowing in on arachnology is very specific and a very narrow field. There are also not many jobs and it will be very difficult to make a living doing this. However, don't give up completely! It's always something you can pursue in as much depth as you like on your own free time. Getting into academia in general can be very competitive, as is the biology field in general. I know this because my fiance is currently in grad school for ecology. It's a huge investment of time and money with meager financial payoff. Your plans may change as you grow, also. I got several degrees in a subject that is completely different from my actual career.

 

[Europus Gigantus]

As any other 16 year old would/should be thinking about is a career path and choice. I'm wanting to do something involving arachnids and reptiles but specifically the first of the two, but by the looks of it there aren't really many options if any. I want to do something other then say working at the local reptile specialty shop.

Is there someway that I can work with these animals and actually make sufficient amounts of money?
What are the options, and how could you even get funded for that?
Would the only option really be to just pick another career and keep this as just a part time hobby?

Any input from your experience or opinion is appreciated.

One under-appreciated career is water. You could shoot for anything from basic water treatment to scientific environmental positions, with levels of education from just a certification to a PhD. Start hanging out with people with similar interests, you could find yourself doing interesting field work that could lead to something like studying the environment of arachnids or reptiles, or you may discover another field that takes you in another direction altogether. The future will find your passion, just keep an open mind, and stay curious!

 

[DomGom TheFather]

If you have the means, chase your dreams, kid.
There's always going to be time to give up, later.

 

[DaveM]

Keep options open. List many interests and careers; see which ones might be compatible or be combined with arachnids in a way and to a degree that would suit you.

Just a few examples:

Agriculture -- biological pest control; acarology -- mites plague chicken farming, which is big business
Biotechnology -- venom components, innate immunity, regeneration of lost limbs, biomimetic chemistry and artificial enzymes
Comedy -- the best kinds parallel real life in our everyday human existence -- males just want to mate, often too wimpy and timid when they should really go for it, females are more desirable and live longer and cost more, sometimes female eats the male -- exactly the same.
Ecology -- the insect apocalypse is upon us, needs further study for the foreseeable future, trends in predator (spider) populations could be among the best early indicators.
Engineering / materials science / robotics / biomedical engineering - taking inspiration from studying mechanics of spider movement, physical properties of exoskeleton, dry adhesion of tarsal setae, sensory networks for wearable biosensors.
Exotic Veterinarian -- just make very clear what your specialties are, and what kinds of animals you're willing to treat (e.g. nonhuman animals, no dancing, no bachelorette parties, etc.)
Fashion / cosmetics / modeling -- structural color is a revolution waiting to happen; carapace-inspired corsetry, boots with claw tufts; collections with names like Lividus Blue, Twice Bitten, Ultimate Molt, Arboreal, Palpable...
Filmmaker -- Starship Troopers was disappointing. In your films, you make the arachnids win. Nod if you understand me
Smuggling -- you'd be a bad person; everyone would rightly hate you; you should go to jail; don't do it. (but if you can get Ceratogyrus attonitifer, PM me)
Tattoo artist - arachnids are popular muses; we're supposed to have two legs extending from the pelvis, no reason you can't tattoo on eight more; just make sure it won't confuse potential business partners.
Zookeeper - obvious, but spider and reptile exhibits are important additions, often lacking or lackluster; need someone like you to improve them; also qualifies you for side jobs as a prison guard or in politics.

Don't give up on any of your career dreams.
For me, I was choosing between 1) modeling, 2) molecular biology research, and 3) artificial intelligence. Did #1 when I was younger, then developed a career over time in which #2 and #3 can work fantastically well together.
For you, probably too young to say yet, but I'm excited for you. Good luck

 

[Benjaminn]

Wow, I really appreciate all of the replies

While it does seem like my options are still limited especially since all what contacting The American Arachnological Society did was point me to a blog post, I'm still going to keep an open mind and not give up just yet. Worst comes to worst is it might not work out and I have to pick another career, but like some other people above said, its not like I need to understand my full career choice just yet at my age. So, I will keep learning and studying the arachnids I have in my collection and see where life takes me.

 

[Neonblizzard]

Wow, I really appreciate all of the replies

While it does seem like my options are still limited especially since all what contacting The American Arachnological Society did was point me to a blog post, I'm still going to keep an open mind and not give up just yet. Worst comes to worst is it might not work out and I have to pick another career, but like some other people above said, its not like I need to understand my full career choice just yet at my age. So, I will keep learning and studying the arachnids I have in my collection and see where life takes me.

You don't have to have a destination nailed on right now, if you continue to study you'll find something that takes your interest that might not even be arachnid related, and that's ok too

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Wow, I really appreciate all of the replies

While it does seem like my options are still limited especially since all what contacting The American Arachnological Society did was point me to a blog post, I'm still going to keep an open mind and not give up just yet. Worst comes to worst is it might not work out and I have to pick another career, but like some other people above said, its not like I need to understand my full career choice just yet at my age. So, I will keep learning and studying the arachnids I have in my collection and see where life takes me.

What is the address of the blog post you were referred to?

 

[Crazyarachnoguy]

You could make alright money as a breeder, but usually you can’t do this on your own and need other peoples help aswell to keep up with everything. Networking is essential in becoming a successful breeder aswell

 

[Liquifin]

You could make alright money as a breeder

It really depends and it takes a long time for it to become "alright" in terms of profitable. If you're an exotic pet breeder, it can take years for it to turn sustainable and profitable. I would not turn to tarantula breeding as a full-on career. A lot of tarantula breeders are breeding and selling as a part-time or small business. Very, very, very, few tarantula breeders and dealers can make it a sustainable career alone, which usually requires another job to make it work for most. Tarantulas are not as profitable as reptiles, so I wouldn't and don't suggest getting hopes up. There's nothing wrong in wanting to be a tarantula breeder, but a lot of people have unrealistic expectations when coming into tarantula breeding.

but usually you can’t do this on your own and need other peoples help aswell to keep up with everything.

This is true. Tarantula breeding is very hard to do alone and is better with a partner or assistant.

Networking is essential in becoming a successful breeder aswell

Very true.

 

[YungRasputin]

my advice:

if you find something you love and are passionate about do it as soon as you can - i initially wanted to pursue the education I’m currently getting now (mortuary science) but ended up pursuing psychology instead because I felt it might be a better fit which i love my clients and all but now that i’m back in school and pursing my degree i wish i would’ve just went for it from the jump

things are a lot harder when you work full time, overtime, have house payments, calls from clients needing therapeutic rapport, etc

 

[Benjaminn]

What is the address of the blog post you were referred to?

https://arthropodecology.com/2015/05/06/how-to-become-an-arachnologist/

You could make alright money as a breeder, but usually you can’t do this on your own and need other peoples help aswell to keep up with everything. Networking is essential in becoming a successful breeder aswell

I've just recently paired a few scorpions with some small tarantula breeding projects on the way and I'm having a great time with it so far, and I suppose breeding tarantulas could make me some cash. That aside though, I don't think breeding or even importing T's at the same time could be sustainable alone, not to mention the enormous amounts of work and the factor that I would have to be keeping numerous amounts of the same species all at once, at that point it just wouldn't be fun anymore and would probably just be too overwealming.

Networking wouldn't really be a problem for me, I even already have a website up I made from scratch (If you care to see it should be linked in my profile.)

 

[Crazyarachnoguy]

It’s not really quick cash either, so one would need to be patient. You will spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on shipping supplies, tarantulas, cages, and food for everyone before you see any kind of income. Overwhelming is an understatement for most people lol. In networking, I mean talking to breeders here, and going to reptile shows, getting to know people and hopefully build a strong trust with. That way you can use those people to do business with, meet new clientele, and even ask for tips, and amswer questions. I did check out your website, i like it. It’s like a biography kind of, what do you plan on doing with your page?