Customer Reviews

Starting Your Career as a Marine Mammal Trainer

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As an animal career consultant and author of the on-line Unusual Animal Career Series, I am always on the lookout for career texts for those interested in working with animals... This book serves a specific niche for those who are enamored with the thought of working with marine mammals. It presents a good overview of marine mammals, what the job entails and answers many of the questions most people ask.

The text also includes suggestions as to what type of education is needed, how to plan and research, and what is the proper etiquette to use in contacting people in the industry. It even touches on applications, resumes and interviewing. Finally, the book also includes a resource directory of a variety of facilities and organizations involved with marine mammals.

If you are just starting your quest for a career or are besieged by questions regarding this type of career I highly recommend this book...

Finally! A book that was written after my own heart! I've had the same dream to one day work with marine mammals since I was 7 years old. I'm 18 now, and that dream has still not changed. But because it is such a competative and unique job, it's not every day you run into a dolphin trainer and therefore, it's difficult to get direct information about just how to go about doing this. Of course I've researched many different books about these beautiful animals, but it's not every day that you find a guide on how to actually achieve this dream career! Imagine how thrilled I was to find this book! It's an inside look at working with marine mammals, by a senior trainer himself. Terry gave me tips and suggestions that I would never have thought of, nor realized until it was perhaps too late. Preparing youself with the proper experience is one of the most important things, and with the help of the "aquarium guide" I discovered that there is a small marine aquarium, not 40 minutes from me, where they have volunteer programs that involve the rescue and rehabilitation of dolphins, otters, and sea turtles. Thank you to Terry Samansky for this wonderful book! I'm sure I will be referring to it throughout my continued career search!

This book is an easy read and gives simple explanations. However, it is packed with valuable tips! I recently had an interview for an internship in marine mammal training and every question that they asked in the interview was on the list of questions that were in this book. It gives great tips on how to prepare for the career and what the employers are REALLY looking for.

As a mom of two teens, I can tell you that they are constantly looking at every job as a potential career. The problem with that is that they only see the end results, not the years of schooling or behind-the-scenes "pay your dues" type of work that goes into most careers. This book peels away at the glamour that we all see when visiting parks like Sea World and tells it like it is: Working with whales and dolphins takes years of training and hard work that is far from glamorous. I read the book along with my kids and I can tell you they both thought twice about whether or not they'd be happy to be prepping frozen fish at five a.m. or jumping into cold water in December. These are things no one ever thinks about when in San Diego or Florida in July! Mr. Samansky, who has worked at several aquatic parks and consulted at parks all around the world, tells it like it is! Being a killer whale or dolphin trainer IS glamorous and prestigious but it is also hard work. He explains some very basic truths like thinking twice before getting that tattoo and minding your manners on social sites like facebook. These are the little but often overlooked details that most adults forget to include when writing a career guidance book for teens. While the book is directed at the teen and pre-teen group but is also eye opening and informative for their parents. If your kids are at all considering a career in the marine mammal field, this brief but fact-filled book is a great place to start.

If you're just beginning to think about a career with marine mammals than this is a great book, that might change your perspective and help you decide if being a marine mammal trainer is really what you want to do. However if you're already on your way to becomming one than most of it you have probabily already figured out your self. I did however find the directory of marine mammal facilities, including specifically what animals they have, extremely helpful. especially the international section. I do have a few corrections however, first the pittsburg zoo no longer has an amazon river dolphin, it passed away in 2002 and to the best of my knowledge the brooklyn aquarium does not have dolphins, only belugas.

My daughter wants to train dolphins, and this book was great. It told her things she needs to know, and things to considered. I would recommended this book to any one who wants to get into this field.

I found this book while searching on the internet about marine mammal training. Although it is a little bit older of a book, it definitely had a lot of good information for anyone looking to get into this field. It'll give you references, people and places to visit and contact. Definitely a great read for anyone looking for more information about this career.

It's a very concisely written book. It contains useful, but basic information (however it's sometimes the basics that are overlooked). This book would probably be suited more toward early high school-aged people or those who are keen to understand a little more about what is involved in marine mammal training (other than surfing dolphins for shows which is extremely appealing in itself).
I found that the information given on further readings as well as the contact information for many marine parks and other institutions was the most useful and I will definitely be looking into many of those.
A good starting point, but if you want detail, this is not the book for you.

The book was short and had a lot of information I was already aware of, but the author gives a lot of good book resources and places to look into in each state. There were sample interview questions that were helpful. Definitely useful!

Book was in great condition. Didn't get it as quick as I wanted but also didn't wait too long.