Shelby's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part about the internship is getting to talk and interact with the visitors, especially the little kids. This is my favorite because I love making people’s day. Like when taking out a hissing cockroach, people are so disgusted but one person told me, “When will there ever be a time to touch a bug that we normally kill”. This kind of stuff just makes their day so much better. When people walk around with a smile on their face form something I did, it makes my day so much better. That’s my favorite part.

-Shelby J

Kyri's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part of the internship has been interacting with the animals as well as just in general, building up my resume for future endeavors. The experience has been phenomenal, and it is on that will stay with me forever. I have learned so much and feel as though I will be well prepared for whatever life might throw at me. J

-Kyri

Jassmine's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part of the internship????? I think that’s the hardest question I’ve been asked all summer. My favorite part of the internship has to be interacting with all the different people and animals I see here. I learn so much with everything I do, and everyone I meet, and at the same time, I have so much fun. Plus, I can do so much here that I couldn’t even dream of doing anywhere else. I absolutely love every second of it! I still can’t believe that this internship will be over soon. The end of the summer seems so far away, but I sadly know that it’s right around the corner. Favorite part? It’s just that I get to be here! J

-Jassmine

April's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part of the internship is handling the snakes. I’m so comfortable with most of the snakes now that I want one as a pet! I also love having good conversations with staff, the other interns and guests! Basically, I love every part of working here!

-April

Emoni's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part of the internship would be handling the reptiles. Before I started my internship, I could’ve never imagined myself handling an alligator or a snake. My confidence of holding a snake has definitely risen because lal before I was a “scaredy cat”. I’m glad that I was able to have the opportunity to handle all of the great animals here at the SC Aquarium.

-Emoni

Alex's favorite part of the summer

I really can’t choose my favorite part because I enjoy everything about the job. I love the people I work with because they are all so friendly and get along very well for the most part. I love being out on the floor whether it be exhibit guiding, working a cart, being at the Trading Post or being stationed at the Touch Tank because I love interacting with guests and being able to teach them about our precious wildlife. I also enjoy our husbandry duties because I gives me the chance to interact with animals I normally wouldn’t interact with. My absolute favorite part though would have to be saying that I work at the aquarium. Not everyone would be able to say they have a job as cool as this and I don’t want this experience to end. Anyways, have a fantastic day.

-Alex

Carles's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part of the internship has been animal programs. It’s not every day that people get to touch a hissing cockroach or a snake, or better yet an alligator and so on. To see them multiple emotions from guests after approaching these animals are to die for. You can see a range of fear, to disgust to even victory. Animal programs are the best because it’s much more than hands on interaction, it’s like animal bonding. As an intern we’re given the opportunity to become comfortable with a variety of animals and conquer fears we once held. We’re given the chance to explain to guests the importance of these animals and how they help the environment. While educating, we’re having fun and that’s the most important thing of it all.

-Carles’

Destin's favorite part of the summer

I have to say my two favorite parts of the internship has been making new friends with the other interns and animal programs. All of the interns are super nice and I’ve gotten especially close to Emoni, April, Tyler and Jassmine because we work together all the time. The animal programs are also my favorite because it’s something I‘d never I’d do. I never thought I would hold a snake or alligator and definitely not cockroaches. I’m going to miss this so much.

-Destin

Destin on left

Tyler's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part of the internship was the training classes and the animal programs. Although they lasted until three or four I the afternoon they were never really boring. Most of the activities were things that I had never done before and I am glad that I got the chance to. The animal programs were fun because I got to touch animals that most people normally wouldn’t while being able to interact with the guests in a hand on way. Nothing is more exciting than hearing a guest walk and go “I’ve never touch (a snake, alligator, hissing cockroach, etc.)”!

-Tyler

Summer's favorite part of the summer

My favorite part of the internship has to be learning all the awesome facts about animals and the Aquarium (not to mention holding the animals). This whole internship has been awesome! I am so glad to have had the opportunity to participate!

-Summer

What Summer will miss...

Knowing that the internship is half over, it makes me sad. I’m going to miss working here. It is hard to choose what I will miss the most, but if I had to hcoose I would say the wonderful staff! This is my first job, and I’m more than sure that I will never again work with people so nice and bubbly. Kate is a joy in herself and Drew is extremely funny; he’s a real character. I love Rosanne because she is always smiling and laughing, which makes my day, and Shelley is also a bundle of joy. Her goofy ways also make my day. Shelley and I both love our coffee! Getting to know all of you has been a wonderful opportunity and I am so proud to call you guys my friends. J

-Summer

What Tyler will miss...

It actually makes me sad to think that the internship is half over. It has not already been four weeks! Time is flying by. Before you know it, it’s going to be over. I love the nine other interns and we have made so many memories. When the internship is over, I will miss the “cube group”,  Louis, the sea turtles and the rest of the third floor. I will also miss Shelley’s morning “helloooo’s”. I really don’t want this to end.

-Tyler

What Kyri will miss...

Half over?!  Already?! I have had so much fun learning and being an intern. I won’t miss much when the internship is over though…because I will be back! I’m definitely going to volunteer and I hope to participate in the college internship as well. J I don’t have much more to say right now…so, until next time!

-Kyri

What Shelby will miss...

I’m super sad that the internship is nearly over with. This makes me very upset. What I’ll miss most is getting to work with everyone here. The people here are just amazing and awesome. I’ve never been in a job where the staff was all together friendly. Something that is equal to the staff is of course the animals. My fear with snakes is yet to be gone, but I don’t think it will for certain species. I’m really going to miss being here overall and working and interacting with all the animals, especially Orville (he’s my favorite). This was such an amazing opportunity for me. Thanks for letting me be a part of it. J

-Shelby

What Destin will miss...

I’m sad that the internship is half over. I can’t believe it’s already July. It seems like just yesterday we were in training, no clue we would be the ten interns chosen. It’s crazy how fast time flies. The thing I’ll probably miss the most is the people, between my fellow co-workers and guests. I’ve learned so much. I’ve met people from Kentucky, Michigan, California and more. It’s amazing how far people travel for vacations, but I’m so glad they do because I get to learn from them. Not only will I miss meeting people from all over, but my co-workers I’ve gotten close to. I love working with them and sharing our experiences with the animals and people. Even though the internship is already half over, it doesn’ tend for me because I’m going to continue to volunteer after it’s all said and done. J That way I’ll continue to learn from people that come in.

-Destin

What Alex will miss...

It’s really disappointing that the internship is already half over. It seems just like yesterday that we were all going through the training classes (and dodging mousetraps). I’m going to miss everything! The training classes, talking with guests, taking out all the different animals, and of course all of my fellow interns and co-workers. What I think I am going to miss the most is being able to say I have the best job in the world. This is turning out to be one of the best experiences I have ever had and I really wouldn’t mind actually having a career here later on down the road. Anyway, I still got half the internship left and I plan on making the most out of it. Bye for now and have a “fintastic” day. <*)))><{          

-Alex

What April will miss...

I can’t believe half of the summer is over! The internship has gone by so fast! I’m really going to miss the other interns and staff. I’m also going to miss the snakes, especially Ron and Orville. J This has been the coolest job ever! I’m so thankful for this opportunity. I might cry when I look at all the pictures at Family Night. I’m going to miss everyone and everything so much!

-April J

What Carles' will miss...

Knowing that my internship is almost over, it saddens me. It almost feels as if time has flown past for the wrong occasion. This is one of the best places to work at and knowing that my days are limited puts me in a bad place. L I think I will miss the people the most. All of the encounters and facial expressions from staffers and guests in general make my day. I will also miss Louis, the king snake. Aww, how I love that little guy so much. He is one of the best animals we have available for animal programs. But not to fret, I want to come back as a volunteer. I can’t just let the aquarium go like that! J

-Carles’

What Emoni will miss...

The feeling is bittersweet because it seems like we just had our first day yesterday, when everyone was nervous. All of us came in together and we were all able to teach each other something new every day. It’s almost as if we all grew together. What I’m going to miss the most when this internship is over is the whole aquarium. I’m going to miss the super cool college interns (Sarah and Jessica). Louis, the eastern kingsnake, will be in my thoughts because he’s the best and first snake I’ve ever grown to like. I am also going to miss the people I’ve gotten the honor to become friends with while being an intern. I’m not really going to miss Kate and Drew too much because I’ll be here at eh aquarium more often! J

-Emoni

What Jassmine will miss...

What?!?!?! Half way over? No way! That is totally crazy! I’m not sure how I feel about this…I’m so happy about my experience here, but yet, I’m so sad that this has to end. I’m definitely going to miss this. I’m going to miss all the people I interact with and all the cool animals I get to handle. I’m going to miss all the interesting husbandry duties that we do. I’m definitely going to miss all the other interns, the staff members and the volunteers, whom I have learned so much from. That’s something else I will miss too: learning. I learn something new every single day from all the people I’m around, but it’s always something that I can carry on. This is such a memorable experience. I’m seriously getting emotional when I’m writing this. My internship may be half over, but my experience will live with me forever.

Love always,

Jassmine

Summer and husbandry!

Husbandry duties were interesting. It was nice learning how to clean turtle/alligator bins. The snake cleaning was not as pleasant though; they smell really bad when they are dirty. Their poop was kind of hard to clean completely. But it is nice to learn the process and procedure of cleaning. Overall, husbandry duties were interesting and went well.

-Summer J

 

April and husbandry!

I think that the husbandry duties are very smelly, but fun! I really like feeding the birds in the salt marsh because you can see the exhibit at a different point of view. The mountain exhibit is fun too, but the turkey scares me and I’m paranoid to see a rat. It’s cool seeing the mountain exhibit at a higher view too. Everything I do here is fun, but I will always look forward to our weekly husbandry duties. J

-April

 

Jassmine and husbandry!

Taking care of these animals is such a cool experience. It’s like VIP duties to me, something that I can do and talk about while everyone watches in amazement. I think it’s funny though because I go home and tell my mom about what I do here at the Aquarium, and she talks about how I would never do anything related to that at home. Today, April, Emoni and I were doing bird rounds and things got a little bit interesting. Tom, the turkey, was getting a bit feisty with us and we had to go around a few times to get our work done without bothering him or him bothering us. Overall, it’s kinda fun. Why did I say “kinda”? It’s very fun. Well, ‘till next time, the adventures continue as we have a fun, learning experience here at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Love always,

Jassmine

Emoni and husbandry!

Husbandry duties are a little bit “different” but they’re fun. Every time we do bird rounds, you never know what you may see or what might happen. Today when we did some bird rounds, Tom (the turkey) got a little bit feisty so we couldn’t get the pans that we needed at the time. We ended up having to take an alternative route, which was twice as fun as the regular route that we take. I have yet to see a mouse during husbandry, but I most likely will end up seeing one. It’s all a great experience, and as far as dealing with the old fish, it’s not as bad as you’d think it would be!

-Emoni

From left: April, Emoni and Jassmine

Kyri and husbandry!

I absolutely LOVE helping out with the husbandry duties! My favorite is taking the sea turtles out on the terrace to get some sun. Think about it…how many people can say that in their lifetime, they’ve held a sea turtle?! Well, I can say that. The sea turtles are so cute! They flap their flippers and can brighten even the most unenjoyable day. I also helped out with cleaning the snake enclosures (not quite as fun as the sea turtles) but if feels really great knowing that the well-being of animals depends on the job that I do. J

-Kyri

Shelby and husbandry!

Husbandry duties were really gross! However, it really is fun getting the food ready or putting the food out for animals to get. It’s nice learning how everyone in the husbandry staff does each individual thing. Also, it’s fun working as a team to get the job done. (On the plus side, feeding the stingrays were a lot of fun!)

-Shelby J

-From left: Kyri, Carles' and Shelby

Destin and husbandry!

Husbandry is a lot of fun and personal with the animals. It’s really awesome because whenever I used to come to the Aquarium I’d always want to interact with the animals and be more involved with their daily life and now I actually am. It’s really cool and a great experience. I haven’t sunned sea turtles yet but I’m really excited for it. I haven’t been able to personally interact with the sea turtles other than at the Sea Turtle Hospital. So if you ever buy a shrimp cup for the stingrays on a Thursday afternoon, there’s a possibility that I helped make it. J

-Destin

From left: Destin, Jassmine, April and Tyler

Alex and husbandry!

I absolutely love helping out with husbandry duties, especially since I get to be a part of the coolest one, taking the sea turtles out to sun. It was an awesome experience even though I ended up looking like I went for a swim in the tank. I also get to help feed the birds in the salt marsh, which is fun because we can play a little catch with the pelicans. Another job I have is cleaning out the snake enclosures. I really don’t mind it because it is just another excuse to let me handle the lil’ guys. This job just seems to get better and better and I can’t believe I get to do this all summer long. Anyways have a fantastic day – bye!

-Alex <*)))><{   

Tyler and husbandry!

Husbandry duties aren’t as bad as I expected them to be. Since we only do them once in a while, they aren’t unbearable duties. So fat I have helped prepare shrimp cups and clean out the snake enclosures. Snake enclosures are not my favorite thing to do. Until you have cleaned one, you don’t realize how much a snake can poop. Orville is the messiest. Hopefully, I can take the sea turtles sun bathing or feed the birds.

-Tyler

From left: Destin, Jassmine, April and Tyler

Carles' and husbandry!

Husbandry duties were fun. They’re not the expected idea of your everyday chores, I guess you can say. Duties such as sea turtle sunning allows for the baby and exhibit sea turtles to get Vitamin D for their shells. I also go to work in food prep where I prepared feeding cups for the stingrays. Other duties included cleaning out the gator and turtle bins. The duties included a host of laughter, new experiences and good times. Example: When we filled the bins and as Alex was gathering the water, he got WET!!! But like a good sport, he laughed it off. I can wait to see what’s to come.

-Carles’