The two statements I hear the most when I tell someone I work at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre:1.You have the coolest job ever!I help run two education programs, the Sleepover program and the Birthday Party program. Yup, I do get to sleepover at the Aquarium. It is the coolest job ever! The Aquarium is an awesome place, but imagine being able to work in the environment without the daily noise. The building is absolutely magical at night. The experience is rewarding to be able to work with a wide range of ages from 5 year old children, to college students, to forever 49-years-young grandparents.2.How did/do you get this unique job?One day in May at Subway, I found a discount coupon to see the Golden Alligators at the Aquarium. Being a nerdy high schooler, I took a coupon, went to Google and stumbled upon a volunteer opportunity at the Aquarium. Registration, interview, volunteer training and off I went with wide eyed excitement. I was warned to take it slow to not overextend myself and to not burn out. Naturally, I signed up for 4-5 educational programs, not the recommended two. Twenty-five hundred (2500!) volunteer hours later, I finally got my opportunity at a Sleepover when the Sleepover manager saw me running a Shark dissection for kids at camp. Next thing I know, I received on-the-job training for sleepovers, and day time school programs, and eventually hired in the Sleepover department.There are many amazing opportunities within the Aquarium, and after 18 months in Sleepovers, I thought I'd try some new things. In 3 short years, I “tested the water” in the Fish House with the Marine Mammal Department and brushed up on my “customer service and IT skills” as a receptionist in Administration. While those experiences at the Aquarium were enlightening and educational, I felt like something was missing. When a position opened up in Sleepovers in 2005 I was whole again. I went right back to where it all began, and I haven't looked back.
Listed skills include Photography, Nonprofits, Volunteer Management, Environmental Education, and 13 others.
