Utah's Hogle Zoo

Retail Salesperson

June - August 2019 • Salt Lake City, UT

What I liked

I really liked being able to be outside for a lot of the summer and every day was different.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Grounds Crewmember

May - August 2019 • Salt Lake City, UT

What I liked

The crew members are wonderful at Hogle Zoo. I also enjoyed speaking with customers as well as other employees.

What I wish was different

Advice

Learn the locations of animals around the park as well as animal names. Guests will enjoy their experience all the more.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Animal Care Intern

May - August 2019 • Salt Lake City, UT

What I liked

I enjoyed almost everything about the program. The keepers and staff at the zoo care about the learning and success of their interns. They provide hands-on experience in almost all areas of zookeeping, education, and conservation work. They make sure you leave ready and prepared to enter the field. They even gave advice on applying for a job and shared resources for career networking.

What I wish was different

One area of the field that they didn't provide much experience in was animal training. It is not in their policy to allow interns to directly train the animals, so we only got to learn by watching.

Advice

You have to understand that this internship experience is NOT about "playing" with animals all day. You have to have the passion to work hard and support the zoo's missions and policies. They take caring for the animals very seriously. The mundane tasks have a purpose, and if you understand that purpose, you can gain a greater appreciation for the work you are doing every day. If you ever apply for this position, you must do your research about the work that happens in the field.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Seasonal Maintenance Help

July - August 2019 • Salt Lake City, UT

What I liked

The people I worked with are all very fun and kind! I loved that the work was very versatile so you don’t get bored of what you do. Working at a zoo is always exciting because you get to see animals every day and learn a little about the behind the scenes of how a zoo works.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Guest Engagement

March - September 2019 • Salt Lake City, UT

What I liked

I really liked how, even if we had the same schedule two days in a row (which was rare), each day had something different. We helped with giraffes feeds and bird show, as well as engaged with as many guests as possible around the park about conservation and animals. I really enjoyed getting to know new people, working with the keepers a little bit and the giraffes, talking with guests, including over the microphone narrating the elephant and pinniped programs.

What I wish was different

One aspect I wish was different was a more formal version of programming called Discovery Theater.

Advice

Drink so much water! It gets way hot and you have to walk all around the zoo throughout your 8 hour day, so you could very easily get dehydrated. Also be enthusiastic always! But it’s hard not to when you’re working at a zoo!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Eco-Explorer

March - August 2018 • Salt Lake City, UT

What I liked

I loved talking to new people every day, learning something new every day, feeling like we could help save the world and end extinction, and of course feeding the giraffes and holding animals.