How to make new zoo herpetologists' lives more interesting and productive

Citation

Murphy JB, Mendyk RW & Herrelko ES (2020) How to make new zoo herpetologists' lives more interesting and productive. Herpetological Review, 51 (1), pp. 172-181. https://ssarherps.org/herpetological-review-pdfs/

Abstract
First paragraph: Staff development is a critical responsibility of supervisors: preparing employees for the increasingly complex roles of the zoo herpetologist and the accelerating competitiveness of the field. As more zoos become active in conservation, research, and other scientific endeavors—the field has changed considerably over the past 50 years—it will be crucial for zoo herpetologists to develop the knowledge and skills needed for these activities and to address future challenges. Many entering this field may be unaware of the potential opportunities outside animal care that this career can offer, and, with the wrong supervisor, some may even go through their entire careers without knowing these opportunities existed or without receiving encouragement to pursue them. These days, zoo curators and managers are obligated to highlight these potentials and provide the guidance and support for employees to achieve them. To aid in achieving these goals prior to the initial job interview, we strongly recommend a superb overview: Zookeeping: An Introduction to the Science and Technology (Irwin et al. 2013).

Journal
Herpetological Review: Volume 51, Issue 1