Jaclyn Jessen

Indianapolis Zoo
   
  "Being able to share my passion of animals with people, especially children, while working in a zoo atmosphere is an experience unlike any other"  
     
I was a "Conservation Education Youth Programs Intern" for the Indianapolis Zoo this past summer. There I helped prepare zoo camps for ages 5-14 that run throughout the summer. I helped create new games, new activities, and even had my own chance at writing outlines for new camp themes. I also would teach in camp as an instructor. Besides running zoo camps, I also got an in-depth look at ALL the educational programs that the Indianapolis Zoo has to offer such as Elephant Bathing, Dolphin In-Water Adventures, Overnight Programs, and Distance Learning Programs to name a few. Finally, I helped compile many documents that will be used for educational purposes. One project I helped complete was a "Penguin Suitcase" that teachers are actually able to rent from the Indianapolis Zoo that contain all different types of learning activities, games, and artifacts to help teachers educate their students. The most exciting part about my job was working around children everyday. For me, I love to work with kids; being able to actually teach them about animals and animal conservation is the perfect kind of job for me. Working at a zoo, you honestly learn something new everyday, and every day is something completely different from the last keeping the job exciting and even entertaining. When someone thinks of working at a zoo, they normally think of an animal trainer or zoo keeper. When I think of working at a zoo, I wouldn't want to be in any other department other than in education. This is a limited type of career field, but it is one that many are unaware of. Many people think that working in an Education Department at a zoo requires an "Education Degree"; however, a degree in animal science gives you the necessary background animal knowledge on physiology, anatomy, and behavior that you wouldn't have if you just had an Education Degree.
     
I found out about the internship through the College of Ag Career Fair Purdue offers and also on the zoo's website. The Indianapolis Zoo offers internships for fall, spring, and summer seasons. The internships are full time and are "experience based." In other words, they are unfortunately unpaid. However, if you want any kind of a job in the zoo industry you need as much volunteer work as possible to help you stand out from others.
     
 

If you are interested in an internship at the Indianapolis Zoo, you can go online at http://www.indyzoo.com/content.aspx?cid=272 . Remember, stopping by a booth at the COA career fair with a resume in hand can open a door of opportunities.