Well, I can't give you any advice from the perspective of someone who works with reptiles (because I don't), but I do feel like I have some perspective on the subject in general. I'll warn you that my only credentials are that I'm a senior studying Integrative Biology.
*As a warning, I haven't proofread this response (only spell-checked) so if anything sounds awkward or doesn't make sense that's why.
Obviously, I'm not sure what juncture you are at: whether you are still picking a school, already enrolled, etc. But there are still a few general tips that I can give.
1) Don't worry if you can't find a school that has a program specifically for herpetology/zoology or even if they are strong in those as general subjects.
Many schools these days have different names for their programs. Here at the U of I Integrative Biology is the standard for all general biological subjects. Entomology, herpetology, ecology, etc., etc...all fall within "Integrative Biology". I have known several people interested in herpetology and even graduate students studying herpetology and, if I'm correct, the U of I only offers one "herpetology" class.
So you don't have to go to a special school that is supposedly very strong in your subject or has many course offerings. Of course, it is always great if you have that opportunity.
2) Don't trick yourself into thinking that you have to have a degree in 'x' to get job 'y'. In some fields of study, a degree in a specific subject is very important if not required. For the most part, biology and the related fields are different in that there is quite a bit of overlap.
I can't even count the number of professors I've had or met that didn't major in the same sort of thing that they now teach and research. One of my bosses even majored in physics and now researches and teaches population genetics.
To get into vet school around here you can major in a few different things and still be eligible to get in. My sister went the animal sciences route. I could easily apply to Vet School from Integrative Biology.
So don't be too worried about finding just the right thing to study.
IMO, one of the great things about biology is that it is so versatile. As an undergrad I can take classes in a very wide range of topics (and I have
). I haven't "speciliazed" in any one subject (ecology, ornithology, ichthyology, etc) but I can still easily go on to be an ornithologist or ichthyologist.
Of course, it is always helpful to be interested in and take as many classes in a particular subject as possible if they are offered and it is what you really want to go into.
It's interesting to consider that I'm sure there have been many, many graduates of the U of I who consider themselves bird people or herp people or fungus people, but in large part there is only one major course offered in each of those subjects.
Basically, I'm just saying that it's not always necessary to finish you're undergrad degree with a long list of classes all in one subject (herpetology, for instance) if you want to work with herps...which brings me to my last and biggest piece of advice
3) Get work EXPERIENCE! Take any opportunity you can get to find work in the field in which you are interested. Having work experience does two main things along with lots of other little perks:
a) It teaches you. You will learn a lot and gain many skills that you will benefit from in the future. This is especially good for complimenting your course work. If your school only offers one or two courses in herpetology, but you've been working for a professor that researches herps, then you've already got your foot in the door and you've got lots of experience with herps.
b) It makes you much more appealing as a job applicant or a grad/vet school applicant. Imagine all the kids who graduate with degrees but have never once worked in a lab or in the field. Then you come along with the same degree AND with lots of valuable work experience and you're much more likely to get consideration.
Of course, you also get other perks. Networking is a big thing that can help you out in the future. Whether you have a job working with a professor in a lab or in the field or work for the Dept. of Nat. Resources, you can build-up a network of people who you know and who have trust in you and you're abilities. This is helpful not only for the future when you're looking for your first job after school but also for letters of recommendation and job references.
You can find work anywhere. It could be at school with a professor, at the DNR, a local zoo, animal shelter....wherever.
I've been very lucky with regards to work. I've been working in a molecular biology lab for two years now learning all sorts of lab techniques. At the end of the first school year I was offered the opportunity to work on my own independent project.
Since this wasn't enough for me, I also got a part-time job in another lab where I get to culture cells. All in all, I've accumulated a lot of experience in a wide range of things between the two labs. My resume/curriculum vitae would be virtually non-existant if it weren't for those two jobs.
Hopefully, you can make sense of what I've said and it's of some use.
