Vision Statement: After graduating from Ohio State, I hope to work for The Wilds as a wildlife manager and then pursue a Masters degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management.
Statement of Action: I want to become involved in wildlife ecology-related research on campus, provide great opportunities and events for Fish and Wildlife Society members, continue volunteering at Butternut, and make more important connections with professionals in my field of interest.
As I enter the second half of my college career, I am incredibly thankful for the experiences and opportunities that Ohio State has provided to me. I’ve learned many life lessons as I have learned how to navigate my academics, extracurriculars and friendships. Finding my home within the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) as a Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife major has been one of the best decisions of my life thus far. SENR has given me the guidance I need to become a successful natural resources manager and public intellectual. As my classes become even more specialized in my final two years, I look forward to the knowledge I will learn and the connections I will make with faculty and staff.
During my first semester, I struggled in my classes and was uninterested in the material. After I changed my major and found my place in SENR, my grades changed as I began to learn about the things I love. Since my change, I have been named to the Dean’s List three times and have gained my leadership position within the Fish and Wildlife Society. During the Fall Semester of my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to intern with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as an Animal Care Intern for Australia and the Islands. This was hands-down one of the best experiences of my life. I loved my time at the Columbus Zoo so much that I will now be interning during Summer 2019 at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for the Cat Ambassador Program.
When I think about potential careers after I graduate from Ohio State, I am interested in working for The Wilds, a 9000 acre conservation center and safari park located in Cumberland, Ohio. The Wilds is a part of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and aids in the conservation of many endangered species. Zookeeping and natural resource management are both incredibly meaningful and rewarding careers and my ultimate goal is to work as a conservationist for a global organization. By taking advantage of the internship opportunities presented to me, I’ll hopefully reach this goal.
The opportunities provided to me by Ohio State and my internship experiences have made my sophomore year one of the best years of my life. My parents always told me that college would be a series of ups and downs and it certainly has been. However, through the ups and downs I have grown a tremendous amount as I am learning more about myself and my passions every day. My first two years at Ohio State have been so memorable and I can’t wait to make more memories.