Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors

The positions of curator and director are not entry level. Aspiring curators and directors must have at least several years of experience in lower-level positions (preferably as assistant directors and curators) in zoos and aquariums to be considered for these top-level careers.

Curators who work for zoos and aquariums must have a fondness and compassion for animals. Strong interpersonal skills are also extremely important in managing people, including conflict management and negotiating. Curators spend a lot of time making deals with people inside and outside of their institutions. They must have recognized leadership ability, good coaching skills, and the ability to create and maintain a team atmosphere and build consensus.

Curators also need excellent oral and written communication skills. They must be effective and articulate public speakers. They need to be good at problem solving.

Curators should have an in-depth knowledge of every species and exhibit in their collections and how they interact. Modern zoo and aquarium buildings contain technologically advanced, complex equipment, such as environmental controls and multimedia displays, and they often house mixed-species exhibits. Not only must curators know about zoology and animal husbandry, they must understand the infrastructure and technology as well.

Zoo and aquarium directors are leaders and communicators. Inspiring others and promoting their institution are among their most important tasks. Their most important traits include leadership ability, personal charisma, people skills, and public speaking ability.

Directors need to be politically savvy. They interact with many different groups, each with their own agendas. They must be able to build bridges between these various groups and put together a consensus. They need to be flexible and open-minded without losing sight of their role as advocate for their institution. Directors must have outstanding time-management skills, and they must be willing and able to delegate.

A fondness and compassion for animals is not all that is needed to become a successful zoo or aquarium director. Directors must also be articulate and sociable. They must be able to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life. Much of their time is spent cultivating prospective donors. They must be comfortable with many different types of people, including those with wealth and power.