Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventure here on the Zoo’s website! When I was little, my first word was elephant. Well, it didn't quite sound like that. It sounded more like ee-tul-ahnt, a hyphenated and jumbled version of elephant that my toddler mouth could get my lips to form. But because of this, I can say I have always had a special place in my heart for all of the world's animals. Some of my hobbies include petting every animal I see, stand up paddle boarding, taking my bichon to dog beach, and reading adventure novels with a steaming vanilla latte. During school, I love my english and art classes. I love to write and create things because I believe that creativity is using your mind to think, your eyes to see, and your hands to show the world what you're made of.I’ve used my creative outlook to put my own spin on the extensive research I’ve done on environmental issues, and how our carbon footprint affects animals and vegetation. I’ve studied how global warming creates habitat loss for the polar bear and other arctic creatures. I’ve collected garbage from beach clean-ups to illustrate how the pacific garbage patch impacts marine ecosystems, and I’ve followed the work of veterinary scientists, including my idols Jane Goodall and Dr. Don Janssen. My hope is that I will be able to relay what I learn from the veterinary technicians and other experts at the San Diego Zoo to you, my audience, in a way that is entertaining but also inspires and encourages change. Teah Fall Session, 2016