I loved the people I worked with and the workplace enivroment.
What I wish was different
Nothing! It was a great summer!
Advice
Be prepared to work hard and to learn a lot!
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Communication Intern
June 2021 • Fort Wayne, IN
What I liked
I had a great experience at the Zoo. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but my supervisors and co-interns were all extremely supportive and helpful. I learned more than I could've hoped and had a great experience being at the Zoo.
What I wish was different
Advice
Go in with an open mind and make the most out of every opportunity.
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Media Intern
June - August 2020 • Fort Wayne, IN
What I liked
I enjoyed the amount of creative freedom in this internship. The supervisors really let you make the internship how you want it. There's no strict deadlines or quotas you need to meet every week. You get to create what you want! I produced mostly event videos for social media and educational videos with the education team.
Additionally, I loved being outside everyday and seeing animals.
What I wish was different
I wish the internship was paid, especially since the hours are 8 AM - 5 PM, at least 3 days a week. The Zoo uses your videos for their social media, so you are doing actual work for the zoo. Even minimum wage would've motivated me a bit more.
Advice
Come into this internship with a bit of photography and videography skills. You don't have to be an expert, but you must be able to teach yourself and know how to creatively navigate projects independently.
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Front Gate Associate
June - July 2020 • Fort Wayne, IN
What I liked
I liked how interactive and positive this experience was. Getting to be the first faces that the guests got to see when they came to visit the zoo would always make me happy and remind me that I am helping shape these people's experience of the zoo. I loved hearing all of the stories and learning about the backgrounds of the guests that would come.
What I wish was different
I wish that it was not during the pandemic because I was originally supposed to be working in the education department as an education interpreter, but they had to downsize that department due to the pandemic and since it was my first year working there I was the first on the list to be removed from the program. Thankfully, I was still given the opportunity to work there by being reassigned to Front Gate Services.
Advice
I would say for this experience you have to constantly be optimistic and flexible to be in this position. Especially during the pandemic, things were always changing and we had many different managers in our management that had different managing styles, so you always had to stay flexible.
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Animal Care Associate
June - August 2019 • Fort Wayne, IN
What I liked
I loved being able to work with amazing exotic animals and learn about husbandry and behavioral management. I loved working with the African Journey Primate/Carnivore team. They taught me so much and were such great people to work with!
What I wish was different
I wish the summer had been longer!
Advice
It's an exhausting and sometimes stressful job; be prepared to get a good night's rest every night.
