Jen's Favorite Part

Geez, choosing a favorite is really tough because so much happens in the internship. What I enjoy the most is being able to meet new people and make friends. In a job, there may be people who don’t get along, but here, everyone is so happy and friendly, it’s family J. I enjoy working with everyone and having interactions with customers. Not one day is boring, something new always happens. I also like the positive attitude everyone here has. What can I say? I am totally going to miss everyone.

Another thing I enjoy is the Trading Post. People always come and tell me stories about the past experiences at the beach or how great the Aquarium is because of all this guest interaction we have here. I also enjoy seeing the different things brought in by people; every item tends to have a story to it. What always has me smiling while I’m here is facial expressions. When someone learns for the first time about whelk egg cases, or the amount of eyes a horseshoe crab has, I always see a “wow” face on both kids and parents. Even when I’m away from work, I find myself talking to people about horseshoe crabs when they wash up on shore. I will never forget about the time someone brought in a mummified burrfish (that was so cool!) or the time someone brought a box FULL of items…I seriously have to stick to the 2 items per day rule.

-Jen

 

Josh's Favorite Part

To be honest, it is really difficult to pick out a favorite part of the internship so far. It’s still hard to believe there are only 2 weeks left. Above everything though, I have enjoyed interacting with all the guests and fellow co-workers at the Aquarium. Putting a smile on a young child’s face as they stare in bewilderment or utter happiness at a cool item, or at the trading post or at the underside of a horseshoe crab at the touch tank, is such a rewarding feeling. Sometimes it may even be a teenager or adult that is being enlightened, or frightened by the stingrays flapping against the water. I also have to hope that every environment that I work in for the rest of my life is as enthusiastic, energizing and caring as the one at the aquarium. Of course I’ll also miss handling all the various animals but I’ll try to volunteer whenever I can. ‘Nuff said.

-Josh

Haven's Favorite Part

My favorite part of the internship is meeting all my new friends and just the people I work with! I love the animals here too, they’re so fun to play with. But I’m definitely going to miss everyone.

Working here has taught me some amazing life experiences and also a little bit more about myself. I have learned to become a FRED and will take that with me wherever I work. I just want to thank Kate and Drew for giving me the opportunity to work here. It’s been a blast! Also, Ashley for helping me out a lot and being there. I love everyone else here too, they are all FREDS!

I love the Aquarium!

-Haven

PS. 2013 interns are the BEST!

Kale's Favorite Part

I have enjoyed so many different aspects of the Aquarium that choosing a favorite is tough. There are so many choices because everyone you are surrounded by has such a great personality and attitude. They are FREDS! My favorite activity may be the trading post. I think it is very unique. Guests are always impressed when you tell them how it works. Likewise, I’m impressed with the knowledge of children about the things that they find in nature. Kids have brought in everything from a full turtle shell to pieces of meteor. It’s fascinating! Even when kids don’t have trades, I still enjoy talking to them and letting them use the microscope or showing them a crab claw.

My other favorite part is doing Animal Programs. Where else would you get to hold a huge snake, gators, turtles or even cockroaches? It’s a neat way to interact with guests and I love when they face their fears. I’ve grown fond of my favorite snakes, Spruce and Miss Piggy!

The South Carolina Aquarium is a special and magical place, and the internship is as well. I am so lucky and blessed to be part of the High School Intern Program this summer! 2013 WHOOP!

-Kale

Katri's Favorite Part

This is going to sound incredibly nerdy, but my favorite part of the internship thus far has been how much I have learned. I feel like I now know a little bit about a lot. I know so many fun and cool facts that I feel like I could carry on a conversation involving just about anything here at the Aquarium. And that is very exciting! All this knowledge I’ve gained is truly thanks to the billions of fact sheets and species sheets and laminated pieces of paper found around here. The laminated papers are the best things ever because they are just full of loads of information. Probably no one outside the Aquarium will ever want to talk to me about how the robust redhorse disappeared for decades or the difference between a channeled, lightning or knobbed whelk, but it’s still really cool information to have! I mean, in case I run into a whelk buff or something. But really, I have learned SOOO much this summer and I am incredibly grateful.

Also, sometimes there is cake around here that we get to eat and I really like that part of the internship too!

-Katri

 

 

Jax's Favorite Part

Deciding what my favorite part of the internship is…is probably the hardest thing I’ve had to decide in a really long time. Everything about this internship has been amazing and I’ve loved every second of it. But when I think about what I’m going to miss the most when it’s over, the first thing that comes to mind are all of the people I’ve gotten to know. I’ve become such great friends with all of the interns and found role models in the majority of the staff. I can’t imagine not seeing everyone so often, which makes me pretty sad. On the bright side, though, I’m just so happy that I’ve been able to make all of these new friends and learn so much about not just animals but about being a good person. The cheery, friendly, kind staff has shown me what I should strive to be in any situation. I’m going to miss everyone so much because they were all my favorite part of the internship. People I’ll miss: Kate, Drew, all of the high school itnners, Ashley, Shelley, Jaime, Beth, Jon, Austin, Adam, Marzio, Jeremy “Lemur Guy”, Pru, Clif, Dave, Louis, Whit, Carnell, EVERYONE!!!

-Jax

Jax (left) and Haley (right)

Haley's Favorite Part

Asking me what my favorite part of the internship is like asking a mother who their favorite kid is. If I have to pick I would probably say the fast pace schedule with changing shifts every 30 minutes was my favorite. The 30 minute shifts allowed different experiences, and offers a more fulfilling experience each day. I could do multiple animals throughout the day, which was very fun, or go participate in Discovery programs and watch the shows. The schedule offered me more opportunities each day, and I’m going to miss all the activities that the Aquarium offers. Working with alligators, snakes and sea turtles will also be something that I will definitely miss. I had the summer of my life, and I don’t want it to end.

-Haley

Lexi's Favorite Part

My favorite part of the internship has been learning. I love learning about new animals, plants, habitats, and fun facts about South Carolina. I also really like learning about other places around the world, like Madagascar where unique conditions and organisms are found. There are so many amazing things to know and experience around the world and even in our own backyard here in South Carolina. Working at the SC Aquarium has opened my eyes to the magnitude of the impact humans have on the environment and how crucial it is to protect such a beautiful planet.

Referring back to learning about the plants and animals in SC, it is amazing to realize how diverse our state is. Learning how to handle, spot (in the wild), care for and understand, nearly each and every organism here at the Aquarium really gives me a chance to expand my education and my experience.

I also learned a lot about people. I learned about people who live in states near and far from SC as well as countries from around the world. It’s so awesome to be able to interact with them. I also learned what it feels like to build close, family-like relationships with co-workers and supervisors, mentors, and volunteers here at the Aquarium. I can honestly say that I have met THE best bunch of people through this internship. I will be so sad when the internship is over, but I definitely will come back to the Aquarium to volunteer very often. It’s like family here and I’m very content with knowing I had the opportunity to take part in this program.

-Lexi

Lexi (left) and Alexis (right)

Alexis' Favorite Part

I have a lot of favorite parts but one of them is the animal programs. I love seeing people’s faces when I have an animal out. There are only two reactions I will see, which is really excited or really scared. It’s so fun picking up an animal, people love touching them and they like asking questions. The most asked question is “you’re not scared?” That is my favorite part of the day. I am so excited when I have two animal programs. One lucky day I had three out of all different animals. Snakes are my favorite. Rosie is the red-tailed boa and Orville, the corn snake, are the best snakes to me. They are so calm and relaxed. Those two snakes are always ready for a picture, just like me.

-Alexis

Jesslyn's Favorite Part

Choosing a favorite part of the internship is an impossible task. I really love seeing and interacting with guests, and of course, animals. The wonderful staff is always friendly, helpful, and incredibly fun to work with. The guests are usually eager to learn and satisfying their inquisitiveness is very gratifying. The animals are always very exciting to see - what other jobs allow you to educate others about snakes, owls, alligators, turtles, stingrays and more every day? All the animals in the Aquarium are amazing creatures and I’m so lucky to be involved with teaching others about them and how to conserve their species. I guess that would be my favorite part of the internship – educating other and allowing them to see animals in a new way. The Aquarium does a fantastic job of giving guests a hands-on experience through animal programs, shows, the touch tank, trading post, interactives and more. I love that education is the priority at the Aquarium, and learning is really fun for guests. I am so grateful that I can also teach guests messages they may keep their whole lives, some that will save lives of animals. Somewhere, someone knows not to feed the gators, or cut the tails off stingrays. I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of the effort towards conserving the world’s amazing creatures!

-Jesslyn

Jesslyn (left) and Haley (right)

What Kale will miss...

Wow…time flies! It is hard to believe we are now entering the second half of the internship. It is definitely going to be a bittersweet goodbye (more like a see you later because I want to join the volunteers!). There’s so much about the internship to miss.

First of all, I could not have been blessed with better people to surround me during these 8 weeks! Kate, Drew, Ashley, John, Austin, Jaime, Shelley and the rest of the crew are AMAZING! Always there when you need something or have a question. The volunteers are great people and always have fun stories to tell about their Aquarium adventures. The college interns are awesome to talk to, especially since we’ll be heading off in a year. Lastly, the other 9 wonderful high school interns. I love each of them and am thankful we can experience the HSIP together!

I am also going to miss not only interacting with guests, but the animals as well. Husbandry is a very unique experience. When Katri, Jen and I have a few extra moments with Pippen, it’s the highlight of the day. Guest interaction is something I’ll miss because you meet so many people each with different stories and questions. I love talking with people whether it’s not at a cart, an AP, Touch Tank or Trading Post. This internship has completely shattered my shell and I’m becoming more outgoing than ever before.

It probably sounds like I’ll miss everything…and I will! This internship is so special and I’m very thankful for the opportunity.

-Kale

What Alexis will miss...

I will miss everything and everyone. Working here has been really awesome and I don’t want it to end. This job has been the highlight of my summer. Honestly I will miss how great this job is. What is not to miss when you have a job you love going to and coworkers you get along with. Most people will never know that experience and I am thankful I do. Each day of work I look forward to laughing with my coworkers. Hearing their stories always bring a smile to my face. I hate that this is a short internship but it will eventually end. I just hope everybody stays in touch and never becomes a stranger.

-Alexis

What Haley will miss...

I try not to think about it being half over. I realize August is coming so fast, and June blew by, so I’m avoiding the truth. I’ve never wanted a month to go by so slow as I want July to do. For the last half of the year, I went to the training classes each month, I participated in the activities, and I loved each moment, each homework assignment, each PowerPoint and especially each person.  

I think that’s what I’m going to miss the most; the relationships and friendships I made. I’ll always be appreciative of Haven and Jax and Kate and everyone that helped me grow out of my biggest fear of snakes. Or all of the fun times we had at the carts or rolling out the Megalodon measuring rope at least a 200 times in a 30 min period. Or at breaks where we shared the funny questions and stories we heard that day, especially Jax’s stories cause she always has the best ones. I’ll definitely miss the briefings with Ashley, who always made me happy with her unmatched happiness, and Jon’s briefings when we would show off our knowledge of the happenings in the Aquarium.  The staff and volunteers at the Aquarium are a family, and when I got accepted into the internship I never knew I would be a part of that family. And as I end my ridiculously sappy blog, I’m definitely gonna miss the sea turtles.

-Haley

What Haven will miss...

It’s crazy that the internship is half way over! This summer is flying by so fast. I’m going to miss coming to work with the high school and college intern crew. Definitely going to miss the snakes J. I’ve formed a weird bond with them and I love each of them. But most of all I’m going to miss my bosses, Kate (eduKATE) and Drew (Dr. Eww). I’ve really grown to love this job and I’m going to miss it L!

-Haven

What Jen will miss...

Half over?? What are you talking about, we just started! I don’t even want to think about it being over, I am really having a blast here. I’ve grown close to people and I have just been having a great time, I mean who wouldn’t miss MMK, AshBrown, Drew (Dr. Ew), even though he was gone for most of the internship, and Lemur Guy (aka Baby J)?? The Aquarium staff isn’t’ even like a staff, we’re like family!

Besides having fun off the job seen, I have to admit, I am seriously going to miss this job. This job not only improved my getting out of my shell program, but it showed me more; it showed me what I want to do after high school. I always said “Oh, I’m going into the medical field to be _______”, but after my junior year, I said “I don’t know what I want to do with my life after high school.” Thanks to the internship, I am really interested in the environment and marine life, so now I will be studying in that field.

I would like to say “Thank you Kate and Drew for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity for helping me find what I wanted to do after high school. I really wouldn’t be here without you guys. I am going to miss everyone here and miss seeing those “WOW” faces from people. This job has taught me SO much and how to be a FRED! J This may sound more like a farewell blog than a blog, but that’s ok, I just love this job so much and the people who work here, I can’t bear to imagine that it’s almost half over. L

-Jen

What Jesslyn will miss...

I feel sad that the internship is almost over. Interning at the Aquarium has been an extremely gratifying experience. It’s hard to think of what I will miss most; working with the animals and staff makes the internship incredibly fun and enjoyable. However, I don’t want to think of the end of the internship as my departure from working at the Aquarium. My exposure to the services performed by the staff while working here has made me strongly want to return as a volunteer whenever I have time this coming school year. Ultimately, I know my memories and experiences here will always be with me, and that the Aquarium shall always be an extremely special place.

-Jesslyn

What Jax will miss...

I’m so ad! It’s all gone by so fast that I can’t believe it’s already half over. When I think about this internship ending I get really sad because I’ve made such good friends here and the overall atmosphere is just so amazing. Everyone is just so happy and friendly all the time that it makes coming to “work” (it’s too much fun to be classified as really working) the highlight of my day. Drew just walked in! I know that’s really off topic but now I’m really excited because he’s been gone for a few weeks-but that just goes to show how much all of us interns are going to miss the Aquarium because if we couldn’t bare three weeks without Drew, how are we going to handle it when the internship is ends?! From the staff to the animals to the many guests, I’m going to really miss this internship when it ends. But on the same note, I’m really happy I had this opportunity and can’t wait for the next four weeks!

Love, Jax

What Josh is going to miss...

Man, I don’t even want to think about the internship being over yet! Instead, I’m going to take it one week at a time and keep thinking about how I can improve my performance on the job and also the learning environment that hundreds of kids get to experience here at the Aquarium every day. I have really enjoyed my first four weeks and have met so many great co-workers and guests. These are definitely the great things about the Aquarium that I will miss. I’ll also miss all the cool animals that I get to see every day I work, whether they be birds, reptiles, or one of the thousands of fish, there’s no other job where you get to be around such a wide assortment of animals like at the Aquarium. The shift I will miss the most will definitely be animal programs, since I won’t have a chance to hold alligators or snakes as chill and relaxed at the Aquarium. Hopefully I will have the time during the school year to volunteer and continue to be a part of such a great experience!

-Josh

What Katri is going to miss...

We were actually just talking about this the other day. In some ways, it sure feels like 4 weeks have passed. In others, it feels like two days. To know that we are halfway done makes me really sad. I’m sure it makes everyone really sad. At the same time though, I’m still really excited for the next 4 weeks! And Family Night! And Wednesday Funday and the sleepover! I’m also excited for volunteering in the fall. Kate and Drew can’t get rid of us that easy J.

When the internship is over, I think the thing I’m going to miss the most is all the fun we’ve been having. Okay, I know that sounds cheesy, but I’m serious! We all look forward to learning something new and having loads of fun while doing it. Even just sitting in briefings before our shifts, we are constantly smiling and trying not to giggle at the goofy things that happen. It’s so much fun!

-Katri

 

What Lexi is going to miss...

Now that the internship is half over…I won’t say that it’s devastating…but it’s pretty devastating. It’s hard to think that four weeks have passed already. I guess it proves that time really does fly when you’re having fun, and that is exactly what this internship at the Aquarium is: fun, education and down-right amazing.

So many fun and cool things have happened. Watching shows, interacting with animals, animals’ enrichment and meeting new friends (and American flag cupcakes!). The thing that I will miss the most is the interactions and encounters. This goes for animals and people. Holding and teaching people about snakes and alligators (animals I’ve previously been afraid of) gives me confidence and also makes me feel like I’m making a difference by teaching people things (like the SC Aquarium’s mission statement says: excelling in education). It’s so important. I also really love the new people I’ve met. Meeting Aquarium guests who have traveled from places, like Hong Kong, Bulgaria, and Columbia, is an amazing thing to experience and hold conversations with them is even better. I love the college interns (Sam!), the part-timers, and the volunteers I’ve met. They’re all so kind, friendly and funny. They’re the greatest bunch of people. This is why it’s so hard to imagine not seeing them almost every day. I’ll really miss everything. All I have to say is that I hope these last four weeks really drag out!

-Lexi

How Alexis feels about husbandry...

I think it is so cool that I get to actually take care of the animals. Makes me really feel like I am part of the staff. It’s not a burden to me at all. I love taking the loggerhead sea turtles to get some sun. They are such adorable animals so I enjoy the time I get with them. Another duty I participate in is shrimp cups. It’s so fun because everybody is working together as a team. Alexis B, Kale and Haven are the best doing this with because they are great at peeling the shrimp and making you laugh.

-Alexis

Alexis to the left

How Josh feels about husbandry....

Husbandry is not a bad job at all and can actually be quite a bit of fun. They’re definitely not as hard or intense as some of the jobs I’ve done at my grandparents’ ranch in North Dakota. So far I have cleaned snake enclosures, done bird rounds at the salt marsh aviary, and today got to chill out in the sun with the sea turtles. My favorite so far has to be the bird rounds; it’s funny how the pelicans, gulls and other birds snatch the fish with their beaks and chase after them when the fish are thrown into the salt marsh by us. Of course there is also cleaning out all the food dishes, which can be a bit smelly at times, but at least it’s not cleaning out snake poop from the snake enclosures!

-Josh

Josh in the back cleaning the gator bin!

How Haven feels about husbandry...

Working with husbandry duties will be fine. I’m here ready and willing to do anything at the Aquarium. Cleaning the snake enclosures and doing shrimp cups I found to be fun jobs. Taking a break from the floor was nice. I’ve learned to come out of my shell and experience new things and fi husbandry needs the help, call Haven to do it. So my feelings on husbandry are high and I look forward to helping out.

Also working in the morning was fun!!! Taking the sea turtles out for fun was amazing. I thought it was the coolest thing ever picking one up. I hope I’m able to switch with someone in the morning again to do that job again. J

-Haven

How Jen feels about husbandry...

Oh husbandry…! I think it’s the greatest thing ever! Most people would fine it smelly and gross, but it is so much fun! I think it’s fun to see the birds eat because it might possibly be the most active I’ll ever see them be. I also like to see the fish attack the smelt. My personal favorite part would be feeding the owls. Being able to say “I got to pet an owl and he didn’t fly away” is the best thing ever. (Surprisingly, the dead mice don’t bother me, even if they are bloody.) After all of the fun is over, there comes cleaning duty. Although I am not a fan of cleaning any type of dish, I do not mind washing bird trays. “No good deed goes unpunished.” In the end, it’s all worth it, even the smell of gross fish stinking up the room.

-Jen

How Haley feels about husbandry...

I think helping out with husbandry duties is a great learning experience. It allows me to interact with animals on a better level than just hoplding and talking about them. Cleaning the snake cages really allowed me to get over my fear. I learned that snakes really do poop and that their pee is a powdery substance. I would have never learned that if I did not help the husbandry staff.

My favorite husbandry duty is taking the sea turtles tanning. Getting to hold the sea turtles is possibly the cutest thing ever. I love helping them get Vitamin D and bringing then sun to them. The sea turtle process is a bit long, but every step is exciting.

Husbandry duties are exciting and I love getting the chance to work behind the scenes with the animals.

-Haley

How Jax feels about husbandry...

I love helping out with husbandry duties! Well, most of the time…snake cages aren’t the most fun to clean. Besides that, I really love getting to help out husbandry duties because it’s a lot of fun and a once in a lifetime experience. My favorite part about doing husbandry is getting to sun the sea turtles because THEY’RE SO CUTE! When they flap their flippers out of the water, I just can’t handle it because it’s just so adorable. In addition to sunning the sea turtles, I really love getting to help out with the feeding at the touch tank, even though I still think it feels weird when the stingrays take the food out of my hands. I really hope we get to learn more about other husbandry duties, especially the birds (Pippen, specifically because she’s adorable). Even though it can be a little gross, I really enjoy helping out with husbandry and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this summer brings!

-Jax

How Katri feels about husbandry...

Last summer, I saw the High School Interns getting to sun the sea turtles, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever. What I didn’t know is that we get to do other husbandry things, like feeding the birds and cleaning the gator bins and other assorted fun stuff! Although it can be kind of smelly, gross and dirty, husbandry duties are often a highlight of my day. My favorite husbandry thing so far is definitely bird rounds, although it’s no bed of roses. The smelt that we feed to the birds in the salt marsh are cold and slimy and fishy. Also, the trays that we pick up from in the plants have a smell like nothing I have ever smelled before. And it’s AWESOME! Because we get to give the guests a chance to so something really cool and learn about our birds. Plus, it’s really fun to play “catch” with the pelicans who get SO excited about some fish. All the birds start making noise and they all just love that 7 minutes of enrichment where it is every bird for himself to catch the fish. And don’t even get me started on Scottie Pippen. Cutest barn owl in the WORLD. And Griswald, the most adorable, grumpy old man-owl who isn’t even old. It’s just too much. So cute.

Doing husbandry duties also gives us a more intimate look into the inner working of the Aquarium. What REALLY goes into keeping all the animals as healthy as they can be. It helps us interns to have more informed conversations with guests about our animal care. And it also helps us to personally understand how much dedication it takes to keep everything here running smoothly. Plus, it’s really FUN!

-Katri

(From the left, Jen, Katri, Kale)

How Lexi feels about husbandry...

Husbandry duties are the best because you really get a chance to have close encounters with the animals and interact with them, especially with the bird rounds. Feeding the birds is so much fun and also really messing (almost as messy when cleaning alligator bins), but the good outweighs the bad.

Probably one of the most interesting and, in my opinion, cutest, is sunning the sea turtles. I learned that the Vitamin D from the sun helps the sea turtles’ shells grow, so it’s really important for them. It’s one of the calmer husbandry duties, but getting to handle the sea turtles is an amazing experience.

-Lexi

Lexi on the right

How Jesslyn feels about husbandry...

Husbandry duties were actually one of the tasks I was most excited for when granted the internship. I am no exception to the strange infatuation us humans have to feeding animals/watching them eat. Besides feeding animals (so far we are just feeding the birds in the salt marsh exhibit), sunning the sea turtles and cleaning the rooftop reptile bins are our other duties. Both require a lot of physical work, but it is always fulfilling doing things that will improve the quality of life for the animals. Husbandry duties also instill teamwork, which I also very much enjoy. The other interns are really fun to work with, and we all share the goal of caring for the animals to the best of our abilities. Overall, husbandry duties are exciting opportunities that I really look forward to continuing. How often does one get to hold young sea turtles or grow confidence in moving multiple alligators with one’s own bare hands? Finally, there is a place where I won’t look like a silly tourist and be frowned upon when throwing food at pelicans and seagulls.

-Jesslyn