Elaina Bowlds

Major: Anthropology

Conservation Education Intern, Indianapolis Zoo

1.) How did you learn about this internship opportunity? 

I heard about my internship from the Indianapolis Zoo website where they were listing job opportunities. I considered being a volunteer or a seasonal worker instead, but the conservation education internship was exactly what I wanted to do to help me learn more about all the different animals we have at the zoo and educate guests on them!

2.) How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals?  How do you apply your Liberal Arts skills to your internship?  

My internship has been very helpful in building my people skills, as well as learning a lot of new information about a lot of different topics in a very short time. This internship has greatly clarified my career goals because starting out, I knew I wanted to work with animals, but after seeing the chimpanzees up close, I‘m certain I want to research and help with the conservation of the great apes. Being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue is perfect for this internship because for one, primates are a big focus in anthropology, and liberal arts gives you a well-rounded education that is applicable to a wide array of fields.

3.) What is a piece of advice you would give someone looking for an internship?  

One piece of advice I have for anthropology students is to talk to your professors! They will likely know of job and internship opportunities that you aren’t even aware of. Make connections as early as possible in your educational career and hold onto those connections!

4.) What specific responsibilities have you undertaken during your internship?

For my specific internship, I was with the interpretation side of the education department for the first half of the summer, and the programs side for the second half. On the interpretation side of things, I assisted with some behind the scenes adventures such as our sloth adventure, aardvark adventure, dolphin meet and greet, and much more. I also did what’s called chimp roving, where I would answer any questions that guests had about the chimpanzees while observing their behavior. On the programs side, I assist with the summer camps, help with animal art adventures, and co-lead preschool programs.

5.) In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participating in our job-ready program specifically aided your professional development? 

The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue has been an amazing source of support during my internship. My internship is unpaid, and the scholarship award that I received has been incredibly beneficial for gas money and other travel expenses. It also allows me to save my money for graduate school instead of spending it all now. I am incredibly lucky and grateful to have had this opportunity. Being a CLA student is an incredible experience at Purdue. The professors and other faculty are out of this world and always willing to lend an arm and a leg to help students. I would never give up being a CLA student!

6.) Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy? 

I appreciated the informational meeting before the summer started so that I could learn more about the Job-Ready program and meet other students in the program. I was able to talk to more students and make more connections, which I am grateful for.