Name: Amelia Krajsa
Hometown: Allentown, PA
So Amelia, what’re you up to this year?
I’m currently an Environmental Education and Animal Behavior Intern at the Philadelphia Zoo. I also work at The Bakery house because the internship is unpaid and a girl has to shop.
How’d you get an internship with the Philadelphia Zoo?
I knew I wanted to do an internship this semester so I did some research over the summer. Ever since I was little, I’ve always imagined working with animals, so when I came across this internship it seemed like a great fit for me. I applied for the internship and a couple of days later I got an email asking me to meet for an interview. Obviously I knocked their socks off because I’ve been at the zoo since August.
What made you choose that particular internship?
The Philly Zoo is actually a fantastic organization to be a part of. At first, I had some reservations about it because I’ve seen many documentaries and read articles about the negative side of animals in captivity. But after a lot of thought and research, and especially meeting with some of the zoo employees, I learned that The Philadelphia Zoo is not exploiting their animals, but saving them. The majority of the animals at the zoo are endangered, and keeping them in captivity is the only way to help preserve and promote the preservation of certain species. The Philly Zoo’s main focus is to teach our guests conservation messages and specifically teach children what they can do to help save their favorite animals.
As an animal lover, this message hit close to home and I am proud to be part of the zoo family.
Walk me through a typical day there.
There are no typical days at the zoo, but for the most part I work in the New Kid’s Zoo, KZU. I help interpret some of the exhibits to our guests, explaining how saving energy can save wildlife. My favorite part of the day is when I get to hang out in the barnyard with the goats. I swear, they love attention more than most dogs I know. Sometimes they use me as a human tissue, but it’s worth it. Goat love is the best love
Why’d you choose to get involved with Her Campus?
I had never heard about Her Campus until my friend, Samantha Galasso, told me she was starting it at Villanova. I went online and thought it seemed pretty neat, so I thought I would give it a go.
Any parting words?
Fish are friends, not food. Except for polar bears.