What I liked
I cannot think of a better place to have spent my summer than at the Tennessee Aquarium. I looked forward to work every day and was enthusiastic and excited about all of the new and different things I got to witness on a regular basis. I think enjoyed working with the animals far more than I had expected to and ended up with a fascination and passion for all reptiles, but especially snakes. I never would have thought that this internship would allow me to connect so closely and create a relationship with an animal that I never had a second thought about in the past. I loved taking them out every day and teaching people that they aren’t all that bad and scary, but rather they are a crucial part of how our ecosystems function. I also really enjoyed doing informal programming, where smaller groups would congregate around me and I would tell them all about a certain animal or subject. This allowed me to speak one-on-one with our guests and cater to specific needs and specific questions. These moments were so beneficial, as the guest’s curiosity and excitement couldn’t help but make me feel just as enthusiastic as they were.
