 | "This experience has made me realize that I like teaching, but I enjoy animals a lot more. My immediate goal for the future is to be able to successfully integrate teaching and animals, maybe working at a zoo where I can handle the animals as well as talk about them." -Jamila Fagan, Psychology Biology 2005, Camp Sea World, FL |
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| "In becoming a naturalist, I was required first and foremost to provide information to the patrons aboard the boat. I was in charge of learning four different speeches that were delivered throughout the day; it was my job to readily present them over the microphone. I was responsible for answering any questions the people aboard may have had, informing them of the boat's safety procedures, and assisting the chief naturalist. This often included identifying individual whales using a photo-identification catalogue or spotting whales while the chief naturalist was speaking on the microphone." - Teresa Aubele, Psychology Biology 2005, Hyannis Whale Watch, MA |  |
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| "We had to educate the public while enforcing the rules of the salt marsh. This job helped improve my public relations and communication skills greatly." -Vicky Garufi, Psychology Biology 2003, Atlantis Marine World, NY |  |
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 | "I expressed my desire to have hands on experience. I was tired of reading and studying just to regurgitate it back onto a test. I learned psychological theories in class that peaked my interest. But after a while, any subject loses its relevance if there is no use for its application. The experience in water maze, cell maintenance, and data analysis has not only widened my horizon as a student but also has qualified me to work a full time job at Brookhaven Lab as a Medical Associate." -Adele Billups, Psychology, Brookhaven National Lab, NY, 2003 |
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| "I am an Educational Interpreter in the Australian Adventures section of the Cleveland Metoparks Zoo. I have the opportunity to teach people about the animals. The trick here is to be able to relate to each and every person. I have learned how to read people and figure out their interests. I have learned how to talk to the group, as well as the individuals within the group all at the same time. I have learned how to convey what I am trying to teach and how to read the body language of a diverse population." -Lindsy Sargent, Psychology Biology 2005, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, OH. |  |
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 | "I have learned how trainers use the principles of operant training to shape behaviors in marine mammals by watching the training sessions for the three groups of animals and by answering the training questions provided by Atlantis. I have learned things that were not discussed in my operant classes such as, bridges, least reinforcing scenario, time outs, and enrichment. I now know the practical applications of these, and more, operant training tools." -Amanda Grigsby, Psychology Biology 2003, Atlantis Marine World, NY *Amanda was recently hired as an apprentice trainer at Marineland in Florida. |
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| "I wanted to move beyond just discerning between a good fish and a bad fish and learn what it really takes to keep these animals healthy. I found out that this meant understanding dietary supplements, vitamins, and the theories behind their diets, including changing amounts due to weather. It also meant a more advanced knowledge of water quality and water chemistry. Overall good health is also reliant upon the positive interaction these animals receive from the trainers. The real proof that I had done what I set out to do, came when my boss offered me a full time position." -Patrick Powell, Psychology Biology, Hershey Park, 2004 |  |
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Caitlin Robinson, Amber Sabrosky, Mary Meyer and James Europe | "I learned a lot while I was a part of this coop. I learned about myself, and I learned about the field. It was a wonderful experience, and I would definitely suggest to any student to do a co-op. It can help to focus uncertain career goals, and it may reinforce career goals that you already have. It can also help you to realize that a certain job may not suit you." -Caitlin Robinson, Psychology Biology |
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| "Through this co-op, I have learned that it is necessary to be completely prepared before undertaking a task. The extra time that it takes to be prepared can make the difference in whether or not the experiment or procedure goes as planned. This has also taught me to expect the unexpected. One of the most challenging tasks was making sure that the necessary daily routine was accomplished along with the other tasks. Depending on the day, we could get out early or late. There was no given time that the day was over; when the work was finished, you could go home." -Amber Sabrosky, Marine Science Biology 2004 | "I arrived at work to find the body of a decomposed sea turtle that had arrived the night before. With Mike guiding us, the interns and I measured the shell, weighed the animal, and recorded any distinguishing marks on the body. The highlight of my experience at the Riverhead Foundation would have been Saturday, August 3rd, when I participated in the necropsy of a juvenile humpback whale. I left there with knowledge of blood work, water qualities, the importance of cleanliness, restraining animals, wound treatment, rescues, releases, food preparation, and a love for the field." -Mary Meyer, Psychology Biology |
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| "I learned more from watching the sea lion training sessions than any book could ever teach me. I was able to see training procedures in use that I have only read about in class. I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with the public and educate them about the seals in our exhibit." -Ashley Stoddard, Psychology Biology Summer 2002, Atlantis Marine World, NY |  |
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 | "To sum it up, a lot of interesting things happened the first week, some of which I didn't like too much. The first week was spent learning where things were kept and what each animal ate. As advice for surviving the first week, I would say the first day will probably always be hard. Keep an open mind; don't give up after the first day or even the first week. You never know what exciting thing may be coming. If you really don't like your co-op, try talking to other people that work there or have worked there to see how they felt about things when they first started." -Wendy Brown, Psychology Biology 2006, Wildlife Refuge Center, NY |
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| "This experience is one of the most interesting and fun experiences I've ever had. This was the first job I have had that I didn't dread going to work. There would always be something new or interesting going on that day, no matter what happened the day before. I was able to sit in court all day and just observe, which was the best teaching I could ever get!" -Cherie Peters, History Political Science 2004, Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, NY |  |
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 | "I have realized that being a trainer is not as terrifying as it seemed. I have confirmed that my goal to be a trainer is truly the career path I want to follow. Atlantis had a positive atmosphere that promoted questions and learning. The more questions you asked, the more responsibilities they allowed you to have. Due to my enthusiasm I was able to participate in feeding sessions, and I was the first intern that they have allowed to announce shows. -Amanda Carey, Psychology Biology 2003, Atlantis Marine World, NY *Before she graduated, Amanda was hired at Atlantis Marine World as a Marine Mammal Trainer. |
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| "Coming in contact with the animals made me realize how much I wanted to work with them. Now that I know this, I am going to do everything I can to make it happen." -Monica Ellis, Psychology Biology 2003, NY Aquarium, NY |  |
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 | "I felt very welcome, and I earned new responsibility everyday as I gained their trust by performing well on previous tasks. I've never been able to take criticism well, but my boss is a really great man; he lets you know when something should be done differently without making you feel incapable. I am an extremely hard worker; it was very rewarding when my supervisor asked me to stay." -Sheila Boucher, Psychology Biology 2004, UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center, ME |
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| "Working at Shedd Aquarium has had a big impact on my life. I feel a lot more confident in myself and in my knowledge of this field. My internship has also solidified my plans for the future; I now know that I want to be involved in animal training." -Jennifer Cormack, Psychology Biology 2002, John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL |  |
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"I chose SeaWorld because I thought I might someday want to work at one of the SeaWorld parks. This was one of, if not the best experience I have ever had. I had a wonderful summer, met a bunch of new peopleand decided that working at SeaWorld is definitely my career goal. Hopefully, I will be working with these people upon graduation." -Deirdre Guilloton, BPS, May 2004, Camp SeaWorld, Orlando, FL *Deirdre has been offered a full time position with Camp SeaWorld upon graduation. |
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| "This experience at Seaworld was more than I ever had expected. The job alone was a great start towards a prospective career, by learning the directions that I could eventually take later in life. After this summer, I know how important it is to get experience. The more experience the better. I have gained the skill of being able to deliver educational information to different age groups." -Susan Gaughan, Psychology Biology 2003, Camp SeaWorld, Orlando, FL |  |
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 | Serphaine Stimpson, HPL, Congressman Tim Bishop's Office, 2004 |
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Typical Co-Op Placements
| NY Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation, NY | | Atlantis Marine World, NY |
| Assemblyman Fred Thiele's Office, NY | | Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY |
| Buffalo Zoo, NY | | Child Development Center, NY |
| Clearwater Marine Aquarium, FL | | Community Advocacy Program To Combat |
| Congressman Tim Bishop's Office, NY | | Developmental Disabilities Institute, NY |
| Domestic Violence, NY | | Dolphin Quest, HI |
| Dolphin Research Center, FL | | Dolphins Plus, FL |
| East End Kennels, NY | | East Hampton Town Recreation, NY |
| e2m, Colorado | | Group for the South Fork, NY |
| Hampton Bays Elementary School, NY | | Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, FL |
| Inter-Science, NY | | Indianapolis Zoo, IN |
| Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Lab, Hawaii | | Landmarks, NY |
| Mote Marine Laboratory, FL | | Nature Conservancy, NY |
| New England Aquarium, MA | | New York State Assembly/Senate Albany, NY |
| Niagara Falls Aquarium, NY | | Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, WA |
| Quogue Wildlife Refuge, NY | | SeaWorld, Orlando, FL |
| The Children's Hospital, MA | | The Guide Dog Foundation, NY |
| The Riverhead Foundation, NY | | The Retreat, NY |
| The STAR Foundation, NY | | Seafield, NY |
| John G. Shedd Aquarium, IL | | Southampton Animal Shelter, NY |
| Sports Rehabilitation, NY | | Southampton Town Planning Department, NY |
| Suffolk County Crime Lab and Medical Examiner, NY | | Suffolk County District Attorney, NY |
| Suffolk County Girl Scout Council, NY | | Suffolk County Legislature, NY |
| Suffolk County Planning Department, NY | | Serving The Underserved, NY |
| Timothy Hill Ranch, NY | | The Wildlife Rescue Center of The Hamptons, NY |
| USDAN Center, NY | | Yerkes Primate Center, GA |
| YAI-National Institute for People with Disabilities, NY | | |
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