FTG 0067 - A (Nittany) Lion Running the Zoo with Wildlife Educator Jessica Greensmith ’13

Following the Gong is a podcast for Schreyer Scholars that brings mentoring on demand from Scholars Alumni across a wide array of industries and experiences, with new episodes released bi-weekly here on RUclips, and audio version available on major podcast platforms. Here’s a breakdown of this episode:
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Overview:
FTG goes to the animals as Jessica Greensmith ’13 Agricultural Sciences joins to talk all things zoos, conservations centers, and more! Jessica earned her BS in Animal Science with Honors in Wildlife and Fisheries with the original intention of becoming a veterinarian. Study abroad and research opportunities led her to find her path elsewhere - including ballroom dancing along the way - to working as a professional heritage interpreter at a variety of zoos and centers across the US, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom and New England. Jessica shares incredible perspectives on finding your career fit, overcoming failures and setbacks, research, and the role of volunteers in organizations like zoos. She also explains the role of zoos in the 21st century, working in a niche industry, completing fellowships and internships after college, and the power of maintaining relationships from Penn State and beyond. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those re-thinking what they wanted to be in their career, dancers, animal lovers, and those pursuing careers related to animals, non-profits and community organizations, or in smaller industries. Jessica’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.
Guest Bio:
Jessica Greensmith ’13 Agr is a professional heritage interpreter in Boston, MA. Over the last 10 years, she has worked for Zoos, Forest Preserve Districts and conservation organizations creatively facilitating connections between people and conservation in order to deepen understanding and encourage action on behalf of wildlife and natural places. Most recently, she was Interpretation Manager at Zoo New England in Boston, MA. She earned a BS in Animal Science with Honors in Wildlife and Fisheries from Penn State in 2013. She would love to speak further with anyone interested in Conservation Psychology, Heritage Interpretation, Environmental Education or careers in Zoos, Aquariums and Museums! Connect with Jessica at [e-mail].
Episode Topic & Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Defining professional interpretation
02:12 Deciding on Penn State and Schreyer
03:45 The PA Farm Show
05:02 Undergrad research to save the bees and studying abroad as an Ag major
09:34 Shifting off the pre-veterinarian path
11:11 Dealing with rejections from graduate programs
12:33 Finding balance outside the classroom with ballroom dance
15:02 The Honors Thesis!
21:31 Working at Disney's Animal Kingdom
25:20 Finding a next step after a professional internship
28:16 Developing people and presentations skills as an animal focused grad
31:45 Completing multiple fellowships and internships in a small field
36:21 Jess's experiences at different zoos
45:51 Working across teams in an organization & non-traditional events at the Zoo
48:45 Managing volunteers - like those in a student group
52:34 The role of the zoo in the 21st century
55:49 Getting a job at a zoo or a similarly niche industry
59:28 Managing breaks in your resume
01:04:00 Work life balance
01:09:20 Biggest successes and failures
01:12:35 Approaching mentorship
01:14:30 Shoutouts!
01:17:14 Final pieces of advice
01:18:02 How to connect with Jessica
01:19:28 Which Creamery flavor Jessica would be and why
01:21:46 Wrap up and final thoughts
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Schreyer Honors College Links:
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LinkedIn: / mycompany
Following the Gong Homepage [Links for audio versions]: following-the-gong-a-podcast-...
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Alumni - Learn Why and How to Volunteer: www.shc.psu.edu/alumni-friends
Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars: www.raise.psu.edu/schreyer
Join the Penn State Alumni Association: wwww.alumni.psu.edu
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Credits & Notes:
This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.
The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.
The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.