How do I get started with working with tigers?

I'm 14. Is that old enough to get volunteer hours for high school at a zoo. I live in LA county in CA. What colleges should I look at? Whatclasses? And I don't really like snakes or spiders all that much. What ate some of the best things I can do. I am a very hard worker and realize that this might not be easy. Will working with a job like this at a reserve be enough to live in CA? If not, what are some other options related with animals ?