Two weeks ago, I was accepted to be an eco-explorer at Utah's Hogle Zoo! It is a position that I have wanted for a long time. I absolutely love animals and wildlife conservation, so I am extremely excited to be part of the education team. The eco-explorers help zoo visitors connect with zoo animals through biofacts (such as an animal skull or fur) and even through live animal interactions. I am so excited to get to work with the education animals. I was previously a zookeeper aide in the Animal Resource Center where the education animals live, so I already know most of them. My favorite animals to work with were by far the desert tortoises and I can't wait to work with them again! The eco-explorers also help do the giraffe feedings and shows in the Discovery Theatre. In the Discovery Theatre show, we introduce visitors to the Big Six. The Big Six are the six species of endangered animals that Hogle Zoo is heavily involved in trying to conserve.
The most terrifying part was definitely the audition process to get on the team. It was not a typical job interview. Everyone applying to any position at the zoo auditioned at the same time. We all gathered on the bottom floor of the education building and stood in a large circle. The auditions started with us doing the hokey pokey! We then got with a partner, got to know each other, and then introduced each other to the rest of the group. The next step was the most terrifying part for me. We all had to get up in front of the group and showcase a talent. I have absolutely no talents I can perform in front of an audience. I ended up telling a funny story on the fly, but I was so scared! The last step was getting into groups and imitating an animal while the rest of the group guessed what animal we were imitating.
At the end of the auditions, I was nervous to say the least. There were so many outgoing, talented people there, I was worried I wouldn't stand out. I was hoping my previous experience as a zoo volunteer would help set me apart. I got a call a few hours later and was offered the job! I am so excited for this opportunity. Training starts tomorrow. Zoo education is very unique in that you have only a few seconds to help visitors make connections with wildlife.
I'll do another update on the orientation and will probably change gears a little bit and write about teaching English in Thailand with International Language Programs.
