How Kale feels about husbandry...

Surprisingly, I really enjoy helping out with husbandry. So far, I’ve gotten a chance to participate with shrimp cups, bird rounds and sunning the sea turtles. Alexis, Haven and I do shrimp coups on Sundays and before doing it, I had no idea how to peel a shrimp. I’ll probably be a pro by the end of the summer because Alexis stays in charge of the cutting; big knives are not my thing.

The bird rounds are super exciting. Guests love it! It’s a really neat way for us to interact with visitors. I think it is my favorite husbandry duty because I love the pelicans and the owl, Pippen. She’s so sweet and Jen, Katri and I always love our time with her.

The sea turtle husbandry is such a unique experience I never thought I would hold a sea turtle! It was fun bringing them out to the beautiful Harbor Deck. Checking the UV and water temperature made Haley, Alexis and I feel very official.

So overall, I think I love husbandry-minus the pooping-but it’s just a part of life, right?

-Kale

Lexi's First Week!

My first week as a High School Intern at the Aquarium has probably been the most information four days I’ve experienced outside of school. Along with the information I’ve learned thought the training classes, being able to first-hand experience the animals, regions and environments has taught me so much and ultimately opened up a whole new world for me and my view of South Carolina. I had no idea how diverse and beautiful out state was. Being able to see how the animals, environments and people interact has been enriching and extremely interesting. Already I’ve conquered fears of snakes and speaking to strangers, so the Aquarium is not only benefiting me educationally, it is benefiting me in a personal aspect.

Staff members like Kate, Drew, Jaime, Ashley and Jonathon have helped and cared for me as an intern. They constantly check to make sure I have and knot the things I need in order to succeed as an intern. Aside from being some of the best teachers I’ve ever had, they are the best people. They are funny and always smiling, telling other hello, encouraging and really friendly. I’m excited to get to know more the staff and volunteers over the course of the internship. I’m so grateful to be here and really anxious and eager to learn more!

-Lexi

Katri's First Week!

Wow! First week as an intern has been…crazy! And incredibly fun and also hectic. I have learned SO much in the past week and it’s been amazing. I think I can speak for the majority of us High School Interns when I say that it is not what I expected. Today, for example, some other HSIs and I learned about doing bird rounds. In bird rounds, we got to learn how to do some husbandry things, like feeding the birds. It was so much fun. I did not expect to have the opportunity to feed BIRDS. (I’m so excited about that. It was SO cool.) Working with and getting to know the other HSIs has been great as well. There is so much teamwork and we learn so much from each other. Earlier, Kale, Jen and I were sitting and waiting to start something and we were having a conversation about brownwater vs. blackwater swamps. That’s so interesting to me. Three teenage girls talking about swamps. Really though, where else would that happen? The environment that the HSIP has created here at the Aquarium is very educational, welcoming and fun! And everyone is extremely nice. Seriously, everyone is always smiling. The staff, volunteers, and interns just love what they are doing so much that it makes everyone who comes here love it all too!

-Katri

Kale's First Week!

My first week as an intern was even more exciting than I imagined it could be. The smallest things make my day every time I’m here at the Aquarium. Seeing a kid’s face light up when he has enough points at the Trading Post, watching a grown man muster up the courage to hold a starfish at the touch tank and helping guests conquer their fears and meet the snakes and gators. We have just a few highlights of my first week. Working in husbandry is really awesome too. Alexis, Haven and I prepped shrimp cups, and on a different day, Katri, Jen and I did the bird rounds. The actual work itself could not be more fun, but did I mention I’m constantly surrounded by the nicest people? All the interns, college and high school, staff members, volunteers and Aquateens are so kind and it’s great to get to know them all! I’m looking forward to what the rest of the summer has in store.

-Kale

Josh's First Week!

My first week as a High School Intern at the South Carolina Aquarium was certainly a thrilling and interesting one! It is hard to believe that I actually got the opportunity to work here, and starting out I learned a lot of lessons from everyone interacted with. From Drew and Kate to my fellow interns, other co-workers and even guests at the Aquarium, I build a lot of chemistry and learned a lot of techniques to help myself in future weeks. My favorite part of the internship so far is definitely handling alligators and snakes. Surprisingly, they are very calm and docile animals most of the time and relatively easy to handle. I was amazed that I was able to handle and carry them so effortlessly on the very first day. Of course, there will always be some mistakes and I certainly had my own share of scares. One time, when I was trying to switch handling duties of one gator to Jen, I pointed the gator’s head right at a little boy held by his father. This definitely scared both Jen and I, but the boy was calm as could be and even lightly petted its head, another bad no-no. Another time when I was handling a gator by myself and trying to pass out hand sanitizer and a little girl came up and squeezed the gator’s tail when I was not looking. He had already been a little agitated earlier, so of course this got him really riled up. I’ll always make sure to keep an eye on those gators!

-Josh

Jesslyn's First Week!

Interning at the Aquarium is a truly, enjoyable, fulfilling and exciting experience. Walking to work in the mornings and afternoons fills me with joyous anticipation. Just this morning, the thought occurred to me that I will never again have a job that will be so purely fun and feel as though it isn’t a job. Showing children animals and teaching them about wildlife is the best part. Emotions of satisfaction and accomplishment fill me when children shriek, “Ew, a snake!” and they gradually change their expressions to “aw, he’s a nice snake”. I assure them that he won’t bite unless threatened, and that they’re actually really important to our ecosystems. Seeing the animals in general is also what makes this internship so fun-I love saying good morning to Liberty the bald eagle and telling the spider crab in the touch tank to stop always being so moody. I suppose talking to animals makes me sound somewhat insane, but I seriously think that they’re quite fond of me too. The Great Ocean Tank porcupine fish followed me around the other day when I was exhibit guiding and the diamondback terrapins are always happy to see me (and it’s not just because they want food). In conclusion, my first week was filled with amazing experience. I am so lucky to be here and I could not be grateful enough to the enduring patience of the staff, volunteers, generous donors who make this program possibly, and of course wonderful guidance from Kate and Drew. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the summer.

-Jesslyn

Jen's First Week!

I really enjoyed my week. I was iffy at first but after my first day, it was smooth sailing. Every day is different and filled with fun. J My first experience with a gator wasn’t all too great; let’s just say he wasn’t a happy camper. But now, I am comfortable with both gators snakes. What I really enjoy from the job is being able to see facial expressions of little kids. Being able to teach a kid something new, giving them that WOW fact is always fun and makes me feel accomplished. What I also like is being able to speak and communicate with people. Normally I am the quiet, shy-type, but being able to show a new side of me and just being out there, it’s nice J! What can I say? I am really lovin’ my job!

-Jen

Jax's First Week!

My first week as an intern has been great! I’ve learned so many things and I’ve met so many cool people. If I had to choose on part as my favorite moment from this past week, I’d have to say that getting over my fear of the snakes and alligators was a really memorable moment and something I’ll never forget. I would probably never have the courage or the means to hold and learn and be so comfortable around animals if it weren’t for this internship. We’re only one week in and I can say wholeheartedly that I’ve learned more about the natural world than I’ve learned in 11 years of schooling. I love everything about this internship, even the popping diamondback terrapins, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer brings!

Love, Jax

Haley's First Week!

My first week as an intern can only be described as amazing. I was really nervous my first day, but it was totally okay. I met amazing volunteers, staff and guests. Getting trained with the alligators and snakes made me so experienced with reptiles of South Carolina. I have always been terrified of snakes and the amazing support from Kate and Drew and the other interns helped me conquer my fears. The constant help and support from my supervisors have helped me emotionally, but helped me better as an intern and I can use the information they have taught me to educate guests. The constant fast pace schedule makes the days go by so fast and I always find myself wishing I could stay longer. I experienced different regions when exhibit guiding and learned so many interesting facts. I also am able to learn stories from the guests which make this place seem so friendly. I‘m already bragging about my first four days so I can’t even wait for the rest of the summer.

-Haley

Haven's First Week!

My first week as an intern has been a roller coaster ride. Starting on Sunday, I was overwhelmed and I didn’t really like the job. Then coming back on Wednesday, I started going up the hill like a roller coaster. I started understanding the job and I was having fun. Thursday came and taking the sea turtles out to get some sun was fun! Now today Friday I am comfortable and love talking to guests that come to the Aquarium. I just know that this summer is going to be fun and I’m here along for the ride. I’ll keep a smile on my face and continue to spread the information I’ve learned. Once again I can’t think Drew and Kate, also our many sponsors for giving me the opportunity to work here.

Also a big part that helped me through my first week is the staff and how warm and friendly they are. Here at the Aquarium. I feel like we are all one big happy family. I really love how people on the staff are willing to take their time and work with the interns and also the volunteers. I can’t thank the Aquarium enough. Thank you for the opportunity to work here. I love the job.

-Haven

Alexis' First Week!

My first week was awesome! I enjoy going to work with smiling faces. Everybody was friendly to me. There was never a time when a staff member didn’t introduce themselves to me. Although the first day was overwhelming with different stations, I eventually got the hang of it. Also whenever I had felt confused about anything there was a staff member willing to help me!

-Alexis