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Hands–on Experience continued
Describe a typical day. zoo was at its busiest. On busy days, over who may have an influence on my future
A typical day was pretty hectic. 800 people walked through the Big Cat career. The people at the zoo are the
We started with a morning meeting to go Walk within half an hour. backbone of the institution and they
over the scheduling and relief systems for make it one of the best places to work.
the day. After everyone confirmed his or Before I started the internship, I tried
her schedule, we moved out into the park. to avoid public speaking. But when I was What did you gain from the internship?
As a Roving Naturalist, every day was at the zoo, I couldn't wait to get out there As a Roving Naturalist intern for the
different. For example, one day I had to and give my chats! It was the best feeling past two years, I have had many
give a sloth bear Zoo Chat at 10:00 a.m., in the world when a person or a group told opportunities that I wouldn't have had
then an emu chat at 12 noon, and finally me they had learned something new about otherwise. I became certified as an
a wallaby chat at 3:00 p.m. the animals. The fact that I could deliver interpretive guide. I gave more than 100
the zoo’s message to these large crowds chats, received animal-handling training,
Sprinkled in between chats were made me feel that I made an impact in and much more. These experiences gave
Critter Cart sessions, as well as roving conservation education. me the tools I need to advance my career—
blocks. The Critter Cart is a golf cart that either at Brookfield Zoo or at another
carries some of the reptiles and inverte- What did you like most about interning conservation-based institution.
brates including leopard geckos, box turtles, at the zoo?
corn snakes, tarantulas, and cockroaches. Through chats and interpretation,
It is stationed at a particular spot for the One of the best things about interning I was able to express my passion about
day. Roving blocks are 30-minute blocks are the connections you make with people conservation and the amazing animals
of time when Roving Naturalists go to who work and volunteer at Brookfield Zoo. Brookfield Zoo is advocating for. Overall,
their assigned area and interact with They are some of the kindest, most this internship gave me a new perspective
guests who walk past the exhibits. inspiring people I have ever met. Whether about conservation education, and the role
I was meeting my new coworkers for the it plays in connecting people and
Describe your best day. summer or having a conversation with communities to wildlife and nature.
My favorite thing was giving my sloth animal care specialists, I was always
bear chat on the Big Cat Walk when the making new friends and meeting people
Above: After introducing some young guests to Delilah,
a three-toed box turtle, Jacob invites them to pet her.
26 GATEWAYS | GAINING HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
