I was able to interact with the public and engage with them about animals and conservation. This was important to me because I wanted to improve my skills at public speaking and I enjoy connecting with people about the environmental issues I feel strongly about.
What I wish was different
I wish there had been an opportunity for more specialization.
Advice
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Animal Care Intern
May - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The keepers I worked with were very nice and always made sure you felt included and gave jobs that weren’t just busywork. The animals were so wonderful and we learned so much about them, how to take care of them and how to handle them.
What I wish was different
I had such a positive experience and loved every moment of this opportunity, I can’t complain about anything or wish anything to be different.
Advice
Animal care intern is very different from the Behavioral and Education intern position at the zoo. If you are waitlisted for the animal care internship, try to do the interview anyway! You might just get it and if anything it’s an opportunity to practice being an interviewee.
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environmental education and animal behavior intern
May - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
This was definitely a great experience. I got to educate guests about the animals at the zoo, which greatly improved my social skills. I also got to conduct a behavior study on an animal of my choice.
What I wish was different
I wish it had been a paid internship, and that I was able to interact more with the animals.
Advice
The key to helping and educating guests was to memorize the names and a couple facts of animals in a certain zone, as well as to memorize the zoo map as fast as possible to give directions.
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Animal care intern
May - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I liked being able to work with animals I usually would not be able to work with. I also liked interacting with children and being able to teach them about the animals.
What I wish was different
I wish I had gotten paid. I also wish it did not take up as much time (3 days a week 8 hours a day)
Advice
I would say to research all the internships the zoo offers before applying.
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Animal Nutritionist Assistant
April - September 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I loved my bosses and co-workers. They were so friendly and really taught me a lot about animal nutrition. I also loved working near so many amazing animals and being able to learn all about them, as well as how zoos work.
What I wish was different
Honestly nothing I was really happy there.
Advice
Follow your heart and do something you love.
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Philadelphia Zoo Intern
May - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Vast range of experiences and animal observations. As an intern, you create your own observational research project to present. Lots of interaction with the public and animals.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Environmental Education and Animal Behavior Intern
May - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Experience in monitoring animal behavior and interpreting behavior for guests. Also able to assist with nutrition and camp education programs.
What I wish was different
Would have liked more experience caring for animals but we did get the opportunity to talk to keepers and the veterinarian.
Advice
Go into it with an open mind, talking to everyone you can and try to help with anything you can.
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Environmental Education Intern
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Being able to work with a wide range of people and teach them about animals and their importance.
What I wish was different
The internship being more compact would have been nice.
Advice
Keep yourself occupied when you are not working.
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Environmental Education and Animal Behavior Intern
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Being exposed to different aspects of working with animals outside of the veterinary field
Learning about conservation and animal species
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
It gets hot
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Environmental Education and Animal Behavior Intern
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The supervisors were super informative and the company really appreciates all of their employees.
What I wish was different
Advice
Use it as a learning experience, both to learn about the animals, and to foster your people skills
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Animal Behavior and Environmental Conservation
May - August 2017 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I liked the work the environment as well as being able to learn so much about various animals and different job fields within the Zoo field.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more hands on interaction with the animals.
Advice
I would recommend talking with other interns, employees, and your supervisors to get the most out of your experience as well as to get more information about different career fields and any other questions you may have.
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Environmental Education and Animal Behavior Intern
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Working with animals every day, educating guests made me feel like I made an impact
What I wish was different
Advice
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Animal Behavior Intern
October 2016 - January 2017 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The one zookeeper was incredible and super engaging in the Kid Zoo. She gave true behavioral analysis and history of the animals in the kid zoo ranging from mini horses to ants. She made learning for and tending to ants interesting. They really allowed for you to be with the animals too.
What I wish was different
It was a lot of cleaning of their habitats at times which was not very fun.
Advice
Really ask questions of the keepers. They want you to ask them about their job and more particularly, the animals.
