Studying for my zoology and wondering how important the actual degree is compared to experience?

In my first year at uni hopefully going on to my zoology degree, but i'm quite worried that i'll spend years studying and find I can't get a job since I have no experience. I'm just outside glasgow and not really near any wildlife parks, zoos, petting zoos or anything like that but am currently sitting driving lessons, and should have my license soon so that should help a lot. The kind of work I'm looking to get into is resaearch work with giraffes or big cats etc. and working in a wildlife reserve abroad. Any advice or anything would be great, thanks x