My worklplace: Tuesday Oct 11th
My workplace is called the Oakland Zoo and it teaches people about animals and conservation. I would say that it is a medium/large buisness because it is very public, but it is a zoo in our community, not everyone's. My workplace is located in the hills of Oakland and is surrounded with trees and beautiful gardens. There are different buildings located in the zoo, also. The Oakland Zoo employes A LOT of people. There are zoo keepers, event managers, security, gardeners, maintenence keepers, cafe workers, etc. From what I've heard, most people that work at the zoo have college degrees on a variety of subjects, or are currently in college. My workplace serves the public as an attraction to teach people about nature and how to preserve it in a fun and beautiful place. It also serves animals to spoil them and learn more about them! One strength of my workplace is that everybody is VERY nice and helpful, and that is great to have in a workplace. Another strength of my workplace is that the staff are also very smart, and I get to learn a lot in a great, nature-filled environment (another strength). A weakness of my workplace is that sometimes, to get from point "A" to point "B" a lot of tiring walking is needed, but at least you get to see cool animals on your way. As of now, I cannot really think of any other weaknesses.
My Mentor: Tuesday Oct 18th
My mentor's name is Melinda Sievert and she is the Teens Programs Manager at the Oakland Zoo. A typical week can be very different from the last one to the next for Melinda. Sometimes, she will be giving a tour all day, or sometimes, she may be in a meetng for several hours. She also does office work at her desk in the office in the education building. On the weekends, Melinda starts out the day for teen volunteers and gives them weekly information. Something cool, is that every summer, Melinda, teen volunteers, and other adults go to a different destination trip all somewhere in the world to visit conservation and animal sites. Melinda probably got interested in this job from first of all, loving animals. It seems like working with teens and other programs in the zoo is a strong area for her, and is something she does well. She teaches children through a summer program called Zoo Camp and when schools come on fieldtrips. And of course, the teens she manages as well.
My Role: Tuesday Oct 25th
My main role at my internship at the Oakland Zoo is Being tne person who "mans" the "Quarters For Conservation" station, which is located near the main entrance inside the zoo. But, I do not just stand there and do nothing. I tell the visitors the whole process about voting for which conservation they would like there 25 cents, which comes out of their admission, to go to. I give them information on: the Ambaselli Elephant Trust, Budongo Snare Removal Project, and the Ventana Wildlife Society. I am there so that people fully understand what each conservation does, rather than simply voting for Elephants, Chimps, or Condors. My title is a "Teen Wild Guide" also known as a "TWG". Other tasks that I do are things like, reporting to my mentor the public's reactions and answering general questions to the public. A regular day includes getting to the zoo at 9:30 AM, walking up to the station & setting it up, waiting for the zoo to open, and publically speaking as the zoo visitors trickle in. Some days are more busy than others, so that determines how productive I am that day. I usually eat lunch around 12:30 pm and get back by at least 35 minutes. After lunch, I go straight back to work, although by this time it's less busy, so I find myself talking with other zoo staff if no one is around. At around 4:00 PM, I start packing up and go back to the education building to discuss my day and some other things with my mentor. Sometimes, if I have extra time, I also walk around and look at the animals. Anyways, my day ends at 4:30 PM, and I go home.
Project Brainstorm: Tuesday Nov 1st
I have a couple of ideas so far about what project I'm thinking of for WLE, but I already think I know which one I would like to do. My idea is doing a poll or a few polls about the public's opinions and reactions to what I am teaching them at the Quaters For Conservation booth. Myself, and my mentor are both interested on the public's feedback and what they have to say. I came up with this idea when I started realizing most people were really interested in the conservations and why they chose a certain animal to help out. Along with a lot of thinking about this a lot, I remembered my mentor saying things about asking questions to the zoo visitors, or maybe even getting somoe comments from them. I am excited to do this project for the next 3-4 weeks because I actually find it very interesting to hear the public's voice and to see results in the end. In the next 3-4 weeks, I plan to poll zoo visitors about different things and gain knowledge on what they know and how much they enjoy this interactive way to vote for great conservations. In order to do this, I will bring a notebook and pencil with me and write down quotes from the people. I also plan to take up a white board with me to the staion and let people write their feelins, or something along those lines.
Progress on my WLE Project, part 1: Tuesday Nov 8th
Today at my internship I did my regular Q4C work and polled people again, but this time with a different question. The question I asked people was: "Knowing that you have contibuted to conservation today, how dd you feel about the Oakland Zoo, and how do you feel about your contribution?" Other than collecting answers to this question, I also had a white board out with dry-erase markers. The board read, "It's Election Day! Cast Your Conservation Vote Here!! Who did you help today? (Tallly up)." Then the three different animals were listed, and people got to put tally marks on whichever one the helped, (elephants, chimps, condors). My mentor and I talked about doing a series of polls to ask the public for my project. The questions will regard their reactions, opinions, choices, etc. about the conservation station, and the data will be gathered up in the end and given to them. For my project, so far I have already started asking questions to the zoo visitors for the data. Some of the questions are being given to me by staff, and some of the questions I will come up with.
Leadership Skills: Tuesday Nov 15th
The leadership skill that stands out to me the most for my WLE is "Communicating Powerfully". I chose this leadership skill because what I mostly do at my internship is speak to the public about which conservations they can help out and how they can do it. Sometimes speaking publically requires me to help someone make up there mind. If someone is stuck between two or all three choices, then I usually explain to them about how all three of the conservations are great causes, and help them out a little bit. Also, if people have any questions or concerns, then I answer their confusion, If I cant answer a question, then i make sure to let my mentor, Melinda, know.
I feel that I am doing great at using my leadership skill because of all the public speaking skills I am learning to do. Sure, there are times when my mind gos blank, or I fidget a little, but it's only normal, because public speaking isn't the easiest thing to do. The only thing I feel I can work on for communicating powerfully at my WLE, is slowing down a little when I am talking because sometimes I find myself talking kind of fast.
This leadership skill helps me in my work because what I am mostly doing all day is talking to public zoo visitors. Also, other than jsut giving them info about the conservations, I am also doing a series of polls for my project. I use "communicating powerfully" here by stepping up an asking the visitors if they could take the time to answer my question. Sometimes in order to get an answer, I have to let them know that it will only take about a minute, and also thanking them for takng the time to do so.
The leadership skill my mentor uses the most, is all of them actually. I see her using "Thinking Critically" when she plans her days weeks ahead in her planners because she has a time and date for everything. She uses "Complete Projects Effectively" because I notice that when she has something upcoming to do , she is on it, and like I said, has it all planned out. She uses "Collaborating Productively" because I see her working together with her colleuges all the time to complete tasks or plan things out. Finally, she also uses "Communicating Powerfully" because she sometimes teaches fiedtrips and she has to get them all to participate and learn what they are being tought.
I feel that I am doing great at using my leadership skill because of all the public speaking skills I am learning to do. Sure, there are times when my mind gos blank, or I fidget a little, but it's only normal, because public speaking isn't the easiest thing to do. The only thing I feel I can work on for communicating powerfully at my WLE, is slowing down a little when I am talking because sometimes I find myself talking kind of fast.
This leadership skill helps me in my work because what I am mostly doing all day is talking to public zoo visitors. Also, other than jsut giving them info about the conservations, I am also doing a series of polls for my project. I use "communicating powerfully" here by stepping up an asking the visitors if they could take the time to answer my question. Sometimes in order to get an answer, I have to let them know that it will only take about a minute, and also thanking them for takng the time to do so.
The leadership skill my mentor uses the most, is all of them actually. I see her using "Thinking Critically" when she plans her days weeks ahead in her planners because she has a time and date for everything. She uses "Complete Projects Effectively" because I notice that when she has something upcoming to do , she is on it, and like I said, has it all planned out. She uses "Collaborating Productively" because I see her working together with her colleuges all the time to complete tasks or plan things out. Finally, she also uses "Communicating Powerfully" because she sometimes teaches fiedtrips and she has to get them all to participate and learn what they are being tought.
What I learned, Reflection:Tuesday Nov 22nd
What I have learned about myself from working at my WLE is that I have improved on public speaking. Working at the Q4C station has put me in a position where I sometimes have to speak to large crowds. When doing so, I have to project my voice, use eye contact, speak at a ggod rate, and overall act proffesional, but not too boring. Public speaking has become something that I feel that I might be able to do better from now on, and can build off of these new skills to improve even more.
One challenge that I've had at my WLE is trying not to put in my own opinion to some things I say or answer because that would be bias. I really am an opinionated person so sometimes I struggle with not putting in my own input, and I've had to put off my own belifs a few times when interacting with the public. When a guest is rude or says something I am against, I just have to let them have there say and go along with it.
Although I already have a great passion for animals, my internship at the zoo has made me more interested in how to actually help with the conservation of animals. Now, I actually know a few conservation groups to look into if I want to help out. Not only have I learned about conservation, but Ialso feel that I've learned more about elephants, chimps, and condors, but especially condors because I do not recall any prior knowledge about them until I started my internship at the Oakland Zoo. Another thing I have become very interested in is anthropology form learning more about the chimpanzees and spending my lunch with them.
My creativity was put to use during this experience when I had to come up with a project, and when I came up with some of the actual content as well. For example, when I started brainstorming ideas for a project, one of the first things that came to mind was doing questions of some sort to gather data for the zoo to have for a future reference. So, I decided to do a series of polls to the public asking them questions about their experience of the station. Somewheres else where I felt a bit creative was when I've come up with questions to ask so that they are answers that the zoo staff would need.
If someone were to ask me why what I did at my WLE was important, I would tell them that it was important because I was helping people make decisions that were saving animals lives. Saving these animals are a big deal because they each play very importnant roles in their ecosystems. For example, in the wild alone, there are only about 200 or less California Condors alive in the wild. In case that seems like a lot, it really isn't. These birds are extremely endangered and need to be saved. Where my role comes in is that I speak out for the Ventana Wildlife Society and let people know how the animals are in danger and how the conservation project plans to fix the problem. This is why I feel my role was important.
One challenge that I've had at my WLE is trying not to put in my own opinion to some things I say or answer because that would be bias. I really am an opinionated person so sometimes I struggle with not putting in my own input, and I've had to put off my own belifs a few times when interacting with the public. When a guest is rude or says something I am against, I just have to let them have there say and go along with it.
Although I already have a great passion for animals, my internship at the zoo has made me more interested in how to actually help with the conservation of animals. Now, I actually know a few conservation groups to look into if I want to help out. Not only have I learned about conservation, but Ialso feel that I've learned more about elephants, chimps, and condors, but especially condors because I do not recall any prior knowledge about them until I started my internship at the Oakland Zoo. Another thing I have become very interested in is anthropology form learning more about the chimpanzees and spending my lunch with them.
My creativity was put to use during this experience when I had to come up with a project, and when I came up with some of the actual content as well. For example, when I started brainstorming ideas for a project, one of the first things that came to mind was doing questions of some sort to gather data for the zoo to have for a future reference. So, I decided to do a series of polls to the public asking them questions about their experience of the station. Somewheres else where I felt a bit creative was when I've come up with questions to ask so that they are answers that the zoo staff would need.
If someone were to ask me why what I did at my WLE was important, I would tell them that it was important because I was helping people make decisions that were saving animals lives. Saving these animals are a big deal because they each play very importnant roles in their ecosystems. For example, in the wild alone, there are only about 200 or less California Condors alive in the wild. In case that seems like a lot, it really isn't. These birds are extremely endangered and need to be saved. Where my role comes in is that I speak out for the Ventana Wildlife Society and let people know how the animals are in danger and how the conservation project plans to fix the problem. This is why I feel my role was important.
Professionalism: Tuesday Nov 29th
In order to find my WLE and get hired, I had to start searching months ahead. I already volunteer at my internship twice a month, so one time I talked to my mentor the summer before to ask her about a possible internship and we kept in touch up until I gave her my resume. After that, I had to do an interview that confirmed my spot for the internship. Also, before my internship got accepted, I was looking at other options as well, just in case I didn't get it at the zoo. I searched several places for my WLE but got rejected right away, so the only other places with consideration were my pediatricians office and San Leandro Hospital. I also gave them my resume and let them know that I had already found an internship through a proffesional letter.
The most effective way of looking for a job and getting hired is by making sure you act in a proffesional way. When I was looking for internships, I always stayed proffesional and polite. Those were my two main rules in order to be succesful in getting hired. Also, you have to make sure you stay persistent and don't get lazy because if you get lazy, then you might miss an opportunity that you could have took. One last thing that I strongly advise while looking for an internship, is to let other places where you applied know once you have found a for sure internship. It's polite, and keeps them from wasting time and energy.
As a result of my WLE, I think being a professional or a responsible adult in the work world means to handle your buisness but to also have fun. What I see at the ofiice of my workplace, is a group of people who know how to work together and get stuff done without being completely dead serious. Also, I see that in order to complete proffesionalism, you need to be polite and overall nice. That's how everyone at Oakland Zoo acts the way I see it. Even the animals are nice.
The most effective way of looking for a job and getting hired is by making sure you act in a proffesional way. When I was looking for internships, I always stayed proffesional and polite. Those were my two main rules in order to be succesful in getting hired. Also, you have to make sure you stay persistent and don't get lazy because if you get lazy, then you might miss an opportunity that you could have took. One last thing that I strongly advise while looking for an internship, is to let other places where you applied know once you have found a for sure internship. It's polite, and keeps them from wasting time and energy.
As a result of my WLE, I think being a professional or a responsible adult in the work world means to handle your buisness but to also have fun. What I see at the ofiice of my workplace, is a group of people who know how to work together and get stuff done without being completely dead serious. Also, I see that in order to complete proffesionalism, you need to be polite and overall nice. That's how everyone at Oakland Zoo acts the way I see it. Even the animals are nice.
At My WLE: Tuesday Dec 6th
Today, I talked to Melinda a bit about how my presentation was going to go lster on that day. After that, I went up to the station and worked and polled until my lunch break. After about half an hour, In came back to the station and worked again then started getting ready to do my presentation. I then did my presentaion and it lasted for about 30-45 minutes. I was really nervous and glad it was over. I'm also glad to say that I passed my presentation. After my presentation was over, I left because I had a conference to go to.
I have improved as an intern because I gained the skills that are needed to be successful in a workplace. I went from being a little shy and unsure, to being confident and a person who just loves to contribute. While at my workplace, I feel as though I tranformed from just a teenager to being an actual young adult.
I feel that pretty much everything about my workplace is great. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Everyone is so friendly. I have never had a bad experience with any staff at the Oakland Zoo. :D Also, like I have also said before, I love the environment of the Oakland Zoo. Even though it is really hilly, I love all the trees and how green the place is. It's just beautiful.
I have improved as an intern because I gained the skills that are needed to be successful in a workplace. I went from being a little shy and unsure, to being confident and a person who just loves to contribute. While at my workplace, I feel as though I tranformed from just a teenager to being an actual young adult.
I feel that pretty much everything about my workplace is great. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Everyone is so friendly. I have never had a bad experience with any staff at the Oakland Zoo. :D Also, like I have also said before, I love the environment of the Oakland Zoo. Even though it is really hilly, I love all the trees and how green the place is. It's just beautiful.
The End: Tuesday Dec 13th
I do have a few last thoughts about my internship. First of all, I am REALLY going to miss going to my internship on Tuesdays for several reasons. One thing I will miss is all the staff and the great memories I have with them. Also, I just love being there in general with the animals in the hills on a Tuesday. Why a Tuesday? Simply because Tuesdays are really slow, so I feel like I getthe zoo to myself, and it's nice to just experience it like that. Second of all, I guess maybe I shouldn't miss the zoo TOO much because I will still be volunteering there on the weekends anyways. I definetly enjoy being at the Oakland Zoo, and can't wait to go back in a couple of days! :D
My experience as an intern at the Oakland Zoo has been so great, that I do plan to do my WLE there again next year. At first, I thought we weren't allowed to get our internship at the same place, but my advisor said I can, so I'm excited. If I weren't planning to get my internship at the Oakland Zoo next year, then I was planning on trying out a place in San Jose called RAFT program where there are several resources and internships available for teens and I met the leader of the group. However, if for whatever reason I do not get my internship at the Oakland Zoo, then I will still look into RAFT.
My experience as an intern at the Oakland Zoo has been so great, that I do plan to do my WLE there again next year. At first, I thought we weren't allowed to get our internship at the same place, but my advisor said I can, so I'm excited. If I weren't planning to get my internship at the Oakland Zoo next year, then I was planning on trying out a place in San Jose called RAFT program where there are several resources and internships available for teens and I met the leader of the group. However, if for whatever reason I do not get my internship at the Oakland Zoo, then I will still look into RAFT.
