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 Wildlife Alliance, to learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventures here on the Zoo’s website!

Gaurav

Hi, my name is Gaurav, and I am a senior in high school! Recognizing my voice in the vast environmental movement needs to have a specific focus, I am currently interested in how environmentalism and business intersect. As a part of the Zoo InternQuest program, I look forward to learning what a day in the life of our various presenters might look like and hearing any advice they have for students eager to find work in the environmental field. I’m also excited to see all the animals at each of the San Diego Zoo facilities and get a glimpse into what caring for these animals is truly like behind the scenes. As for what I do with my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, going on hikes, and surfing with my friends!

Grant

Hello, I’m Grant, and I am a junior in high school. As for who I am and what I do, I have been a practitioner of Tang Soo Do for thirteen years, and I play the violin in my school’s chamber orchestra. My interests in the zoological field lie in the subsect known as entomology, the study of insects, along with the captive care and rearing of other invertebrate groups. As of now, I have witnessed hundreds of invertebrate species in my decade-long arthropod odyssey, most of which can be found all around us on nearby trails and undeveloped areas. I also happen to keep and breed upwards of thirty native and exotic arthropod species, from ants, to millipedes, to tarantulas, to beetles, you name it. From this journey, a burning passion for the entomological field was born, leading to my current position as the branch leader of a regional invertebrate appreciation and conservation club, as well as the conception of my school’s Animal Club. It’ll be pretty cool to see what goes on behind the scenes in the San Diego Zoo, to see what was behind the magic of my youth. Before I go, I’d like to mention that one time when I was about seven years of age, when I snuck a Nymphalis antiopa caterpillar outside of the Wild Animal Park… I’ll take my leave now.

Mackenzie

My name is Mackenzie! I am a senior in high school and I am thrilled to be participating in Zoo InternQuest. This program will help me learn so many different things about the Zoo and about wildlife. I have known for many years that my dream in life is to be a veterinarian. I have already committed to a University as an animal science - pre vet major. I am currently a Miss San Outstanding Teen titleholder and within this role I help fundraise for different events happening in San Diego. I am currently fundraising for the San Diego Humane Society Virtual Walk which will go to help 50,00 animals in need. I have a love for all no matter their size. I also care about protecting the habitats they live in. I am very passionate about wildlife conservation as I believe it is something that everybody should be educated about in order to help our planet and those that live in it. Zoo InternQuest can help me decide what kind of veterinarian I want to be: exotic, domestic, or large animal. I am very excited to experience everything that the Zoo InterQuest program has to offer. 

Mara

Hello! My name is Mara and I'm a junior in high school. I applied for the Zoo InternQuest program because I wanted to know more about the responsibilities of zookeepers and conservationists. I've always had an interest in conservation and one day hope to do my part in protecting the wildlife of the world. I've loved animals ever since I was a child. I would get so excited every time my family would visit the zoo. I love going bird watching, especially at coastal habitats. So much biodiversity in such a small place! I'm very excited to be taking part in this program and eagerly await the chance to expand my knowledge about conservation! 

Armando

Hello, my name is Armando, and I am a Junior who loves anything and everything about animals! I applied for Zoo InternQuest because it seemed like such an eye-opening experience; being able to see so many different types of professionals in a field that isn't easy to get a realistic view online. I’ve always been interested in the current state of conservation and have been watching animal documentaries since I was a child. My favorite is about Indian elephants and how poorly they are treated in the tourist districts of Thailand. The Zoo and the Safari park were fundamentally important to my childhood because of how often my family visited. When I was eight, I wanted to be a zookeeper and in the past few years of researching college and majors, I’ve realized I still have that passion and want to pursue a degree in wildlife biology or ecology. 

Grace

Hi! My name is Grace, and I’m currently a senior in high school. I live with my mom, my brother, my two chinchillas, and our dog Autumn. Growing up, I’ve always had an interest in wildlife and the outdoors, and I spent a huge chunk of my childhood at the Zoo and Safari Park learning all about the animals there. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved trying to help any animal I came across, whether gophers, birds, snails, bees, spiders, or anything else. I also love spending time outdoors doing things such as camping with my family and hanging out with friends. When I’m not hanging out with friends and family, you can find me taking my dog for long walks to Mission Trails, reading and watching TV (my favorite genre is fantasy!), or playing video games. As I get older, I plan to have a career in veterinary science or wildlife conservation, so I knew I had to apply for the Zoo InternQuest Program. I was so happy to find out I was accepted and I can’t wait to learn all about different animals and wildlife!

Kate 

Greetings! My name is Kate, and I am currently in 11th grade. I have always had a love for the environment and animals. Even the media I consumed at a young age reflected this interest! A few of my favorite childhood shows were The Jeff Corwin Experience and Life, both of which were on Netflix at the time. As I have aged, this interest has grown to include a thirst for further knowledge. My hobbies include gardening, reading, listening to music, and exploring new places and topics (which can be a bad habit at times like when I am trying to do homework and end up researching water bears or Death Valley instead). I love learning and discovering new things about this world we live in. In college, which is only a few years away for me, I plan to study biology or another similar major so I can continue my journey of learning about topics I love. With the current condition of Earth, it is incredibly important for people to study such fields so they can help protect and preserve this planet. I want to be one of those people. One of the main reasons I am so excited for the Zoo InternQuest program (besides being a huge learning opportunity) is because I want to learn about possible future careers and which ones might suit me.

Valentina

Hey there! My name’s Valentina and I’m a senior in high school who’s planning to study zoology in college. From a young age, I’ve been interested in wildlife conservation and animal behavior, so this opportunity gives me the wonderful opportunity to learn more about the career field that I so adore. I’m an avid nature lover as well, and some of my favorite pastimes are going to the beach with my friends and camping out with my family. Because of this, I often look for different ways to advocate for sustainability, whether it’s in the form of attending local cleanups or expressing my ideas through writing. I can’t wait to learn more about conservation efforts, and I’m thrilled to be part of the Zoo InternQuest program!

Spring Session 2021