Interview Q&A
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
My strengths come in my ability to pick up on new tasks within a small amount of time and my creativity. As long as I get an example of how to do a task I can normally pick up on what needs to be done relatively quickly. For creativity I always have something I’m thinking of, whether it's improvements for the task at hand or ideas that can be used in the future.
I have always had issues with organizing things such as papers and items, to the point where I’d lose things quite often. Knowing I’ve always had this weakness has led me to developing an array of online and in person resources to help me keep my materials in check. From a detailed calendar, special folders, and a planner, I’ve made an effort to improve this weakness of mine to better keep track of my time and my materials.
I see myself graduating college and pursuing work in the zoo field. I hope to be working at an AZA accredited zoo with big cats or reptiles. Somewhere far from Michigan with a lot of pets. Mac will still be there and maybe a few more reptiles, maybe finally getting a cat.
Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
What motivates you?
How do you handle pressure/stress?
I have two things I’m most proud of. 1.) I got into a college not only for my zoo science and conservation degree, but for a fine arts choir. I’ve always loved choir but in an effort to get more education and credits in animal science I ended up leaving the class and focusing on my choral practice outside of school. I’m extremely proud of all the work I put in paying off and for being able to develop skills outside of the classroom to help benefit myself. 2.) I’m most proud of my gecko Mac. When I first found him he was a surrender at my secondary school. He was in extremely rough shape and we didn’t know if he was going to make it through the night. Me and a few other students took responsibility for caring for him until he got healthy enough to adopt out. I loved him very much and got attached to him really early on, so it was no surprise that I adopted him when he was healthy enough. I’m filled with so much joy every time I see him developing new behaviors and see his personality show.
Animals have always been a key part of my life. From catching lizards in my backyard in Florida to bring in the occasional frog in Michigan. They have also been an extremely stable constant in my life. I moved around a lot as a kid, living in three different states. The natural world and the animals within it have always been there for me. I want to give back to the animals that brought me so much comfort and to the world that contains them.
I tend to focus in and freak out later. When I’m in high stress situations I focus on the task at hand, almost to an obsessive point. When the stressful task is done I tend to let the stress take over for a bit, kind of like an aftershock to the original stressful situation.
What makes you uncomfortable?
Working with people who make me uncomfortable, very loud, high-pitched sounds, large crowds of specific people, hateful or ignorant people, rough or itchy textures, and people who dislike or mistreat animals. I try my best to avoid these types of things or people, as they bring me unnecessary stress and discomfort.
What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
I refuse to work with someone who has a disregard for their own safety as well as the safety of animals. Working with someone who is constantly taking risks that can harm them or are against the rules is never a fun situation to deal with. This also relates to animals as well, someone does something stupid and gets hurt by an animal or causes an animal to get hurt. This also relates to people who don’t view animals as anything other than cool props to pose with.
Tell me about a time when you participated in, what was your role?
I swam all four years of my high school career as well as competing in varsity all four years. My main role was teaching newer people on the team. This wasn’t just swimming, I helped teach newer people to the team how we do social events and what was needed for swimming in general. I loved being able to help my teammates and help them fit into the swim team.
What kind of work do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy constant repetitive tasks. This can be the same schedule of tasks that need to be done in a day or scanning in items. The ability to know what I’m doing and do it constantly gives me a calming almost relaxing feel to my work day.