Looking back on this summer, I spent 46 days at the zoo, worked 366 hours, prepared over 1000 salads, and helped clean up and wash over 2000 salad bowls. While the numbers are fun to look at, this summer cannot be summed up in a couple of statistics. My experience this summer is hard to quite describe effectively in words, but it was absolutely amazing. I finally found a place where I could wake up every morning (usually before the sun was fully up) with a smile on my face and with excitement to go to work, where I also left every day with a smile on my face and excitement to go back again. Working at a zoo is hard work, you get dirty, sweaty, and exhausted, but I still loved every minute of it. I think that one of the keys to happiness in life, regardless of what you are doing, is to do what you love and love what you do. That way, even if the work is hard, or if a task is daunting, you are still happy to do it and love the job along the way. Since I practically grew up at the Saint Louis Zoo, I had always had a childhood fantasy of being a zookeeper. Sometimes I found myself smiling in the middle of a task because it would sink in again that I am doing what I have always wanted to do. While I know that one day I will be working near/on a beach with sea turtles, I loved being able to spend time in the zoo world. This internship has even made me consider returning to the zoo world in the future.
Not only did I learn about many different species of animals, I feel as if I grew as a person this summer as well. I gained confidence as a biologist and even consider myself a growing herpetologist now too. This experience helped me discover what I really want to do for a Master's degree and it has opened the doors for future travel and even career options. Without this internship I would have never realized some of the biology opportunities that I now plan on pursuing.
I also was reminded of some valuable life lessons:
- You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
- This summer I realized how true this saying is. When I went on the behind the scenes tour last summer with the giant tortoises, I had no idea that I was meeting my future manager. I did not think of much more than hanging out with giant tortoises for a while. Yet, from our brief conversations, I came off as a responsible, hard-working, passionate biology student. That first impression drastically aided in me getting this internship.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions.
- If you don't know something, ask. Asking questions shows that you want to understand and that you care about learning. Sometimes asking a simple questions leads to a very meaningful and in depth conversation that leads to a wealth of knowledge. Asking questions is important to facilitate your own learning.
- Ask to do things.
- What I mean by this is ask to be involved. Ask questions for knowledge, but don't be afraid to ask if you can help with or do something. I was able to go to the animal hospital twice and quarantine just because I asked to do so and showed interest. By asking to do more than just the daily intern chores, I got to take part in other activities, such as feedings and remodeling enclosures. This is important in more than just internships though. I have found that if you show true interest in something and ask to get involved, then doors will open up. There are so many opportunities that are opening up for me just because I ask, and when presented with an opportunity I take it.
- Networking
- While career success is directly dependent to a degree and past work, I feel that it also helps to know the right people. I understood the power of networking with this internship, but was also reminded of it during the symposium I went to. By talking with people with similar interests and expressing my future plans, I now have a list of people that I can contact in the future about getting involved in their research or in their organization.
- Be passionate about what you do.
- This ties back to what I said earlier. Find a career path you are passionate about and then follow it. As someone who is passionate about conservation and animals, it was amazing to be in a work environment focused on animals and conservation while being surrounded by people with the same interests. Having a job (or even hobby) that you are passionate about is a key to happiness.
- Be curious and stay curious.
- Being curious ties into asking questions, but I feel that it goes deeper than just that. Being curious leads to knowledge and therefore growth. Just because formal schooling may end, it does not mean that learning does. I heard someone say this summer that you should do something as long as you are learning and if you reach a point where you are not learning anything else, find something new. I was also told by someone that I met at the symposium to "stay curious". As someone who is young and is watching a world of opportunities open up, staying curious is easy. As careers get more solidified I'm sure it may seem harder to stay curious. Staying curious though allows you to stay engaged, find opportunities, and never stop learning.
I am sad that these last four months went by so fast, but I am incredibly thankful for the time I did have as an intern. I am also so thankful for the support of my family, faculty members at UNF, and the staff at the herpetarium for making me 'part of the family' and taking the time to truly teach me about the animals, conservation issues, and how things work at the zoo (just to name a few). This internship has helped prepare me for my future career and helped me discover that I am a herpetologist at heart as well as a marine biologist and conservationist. I have many stories and memories from this summer to carry with me and share with others. I am sad to move on, but I am also excited to see what new adventures will come my way!
