Zoo InternQuest, Author at San Diego Zoo… – Page 19 of 32 – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Stories

Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website! Hi! My name is Andi and I’m currently a junior in high school. Although I may seem a bit quiet at first, those who know me well can tell you how fast I change from an introvert to an extrovert once I get comfortable with someone. Even with the workload of school, I always try to balance that out with hobbies. If I’m not studying or sleeping, you’ll likely find me reading a book, listening to or playing music, practicing calligraphy, or binging Disney movies. Another big part of my life is volunteering at the Fleet Science Center, which I’ve been doing since last spring. Sharing science with the visitors is one of my biggest passions. I absolutely love animals, but ironically, I was deathly afraid of animals growing up. If they weren’t behind some sort of escape-proof barrier, I refused to go anywhere near them. Thinking back on it now, it probably stemmed from the fact that I never had any close interactions with animals growing up since all we had were fish up until I was a freshman in high school. Thankfully, we got a chicken named Henri that year. As I started getting older, I got way more comfortable with animals since I couldn’t ask my friends to lock up their dogs and cats whenever I came over. Though I’ve always known that I wanted to have a career involving science, it wasn’t until very late into freshman year that I had even given thought to pursuing a career in conservation or zoology. After taking AP Environmental Science and going on a trip to the Zoo with the Aaron Price Fellowship Program where I got to touch a sea lion, I knew that was what I wanted to do and I haven’t looked back since. Although I’m set on a career involving environmental science, conservation, or zoology, I’m excited to be able to explore those areas more in depth through InternQuest. I have a feeling these coming weeks will be absolutely life-changing. Andi Fall 2017 Intern