Where to go from here

By Rachael Sitzer, Program Intern

I’ve always been a go-with-the-flow kind of person. Is there anything wrong with that? How many college students ever know for sure what they will do, or at least want to do after they graduate? Being a zoo science major, I know that I want to work in a zoo as a zookeeper and eventually become a curator. But that is where my plan ends. I don’t know what zoo I will work at or where. Besides, there are only about 200 AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoos throughout America. Why limit myself even further by wanting to work with certain animals, at a certain zoo, or in a particular state or part of the country? It is my belief that getting where you want in life is about being open to change and having the right state of mind to take advantage of rare opportunities. That being said, I am simply waiting for one of those opportunities to come along.

That’s also what I was doing before I came to Squam Lakes Natural Science Center as an intern. By no means did I ever expect myself to be working at a “science center” rather than a zoo, but I saw the internship as a unique opportunity that I could not pass up. Thankfully, I have found the Science Center to be a reputable AZA institution (as small as it might seem) with dedicated staff and I haven’t regretted being here for a single minute. In fact, I completely underestimated the Science Center in its ability to provide me with the kind of experience I was looking for. I have taken care of and worked hands-on with animals that I’ve never come close to seeing before. Ironically, I have had the chance to see the faces of visitors and children as they were witnessing certain animals for the first time when, little do they know, I was in their shoes only months ago. Frankly, I have been astounded by the high-quality educational programs and exceptional visitor experience that the Science Center provides.

Completing this internship has not helped me decide on a career. I determined many years ago what career I have been heading toward: zookeeping. Instead, this internship has strengthened my lifelong ambitions and given me additional motivation to achieve my career goals. Even with this rekindled determination, there’s still no chance of me making plans for my future. Don’t get me wrong, I always prepare for the future as much as realistically possible, but I’m not going to naively plan out a career path that will probably change. So no, I can’t say for sure what I will be doing in May when I graduate, and I won’t know for sure until that day actually comes. But I trust that my experience here at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center will carry me great distances toward my desired career in zookeeping and help me when the right opportunity comes along. After all, some of the best things in our lives come along unexpectedly.

Thank you Summer Interns!

We had said it before, but the Science Center could not function nearly as well as it does without the help of our summer interns. Three Program Interns and one Marketing Intern help keep the Science Center running smoothly during the busiest part of our season. This year we welcomed Peter Kleinhenz, Kevin VanGorden, and Miranda Furrer as Program Interns and Hank Geng as Marketing Intern.

Peter came to New Hampshire from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio where he is working on a double major in Zoology and Media Production. He has worked on research and published several papers on amphibians and reptiles. As an avid caver he has also studied abroad in Tasmania/Australia surveying and creating trails in caves in an effort to protect fragile cave formations. Kevin has volunteered extensively including both the Columbus and Cincinnati Zoos. He has also worked 3 summers at Camp High Rocks in North Carolina and is a news director of the Miami Television News.

Kevin has been a volunteer docent at the Science Center for the past 2 summers. A native of Franklin, New Hampshire, Kevin graduated from University of Maine at Machias with a degree in biology. His course work included working in the genetics lab of Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratories looking for a possible cause of soft-shell disease in lobsters and his senior thesis focused on an immunology experiment on maternal antibodies in mice.

Miranda is a student at Iowa State University majoring in both Animal Ecology and Agricultural Business. Among the work and volunteer experiences she has had include completing a naturalist internship at Wildlife Prairie State Park in Iowa. Through her internship she gained experience caring for a variety of small native animals and also presenting public programs on wildlife at the park and on an outreach basis. At ISU she has served as College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassador where she gives tours to prospective students.

Hank is a student at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, majoring in Environmental Studies. He has studied abroad in both China and Denmark. His marketing experience ranged from Copy Editor of  his high school music magazine to Public Relations Manager of Bates College's TakeNote and Publicity Manager for Outfront. Hank's responsibilities at the Science Center included daily event-based marketing, photography, videography, online advertising, and special promotions.



Thank you to our interns for everything that you have done to support the Science Center!