Nicole did her internship at the Darwin Territory Wildlife Park. Here’s what she had to say about it:
“Nearly three months into my internship at the Territory Wildlife Park I have overcome more challenges and added more to my professional skill-set than I ever expected. Since completing a Bachelor of Animal Science two years ago I have been trying to find an avenue into the highly competitive world of zoo keeping. However as much as I learnt during my time studying I found that I was missing two very important things; industry connections and the experience applying what I had learnt out in the field. This is where AELC came in, and how I came to be undertaking my internship at the Territory Wildlife Park.
As working in this industry is something that I have wanted to do since I was little, actually being able to get out there and do it has been amazing. In my time so far I have learnt how to handle and feed reptiles, deliver injections to injured animals, seen captive pelicans hatch young, carried out wildlife surveys in Kakadu and much more. There is a vast difference between studying something in the pages of a book and actually getting out there and doing it; and I have learnt a lot from the challenges that have come with stepping into the field for the first time. For me learning to understand and read an animals body language and behaviour has been one of the most valuable aspects of this experience. On top of the professional skills I have developed, this placement has also taught me a lot about myself and has been an amazing personal experience.
Undertaking this internship has been a huge step forward for me in my career. All of the keepers that I have worked with have encountered the same challenges as me entering into the industry, and have done so much to help me get my foot in the door. I have been introduced to numerous important industry contacts and have added several valuable references to my CV.
Those who have tried to enter into a keeping career will know just how hard it is to find a way in, AELC provided me with a very professional front when dealing with the various wildlife parks and offered a knowledgeable and experienced approach when looking for an internship.”