Josephine Hoffman Email & Phone Number

I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Phycology in June 2023, augmenting my Associate’s in Communication. I’m fortunate in that I discovered my ideal career path early. The common thread that ran clearly through my past: animal welfare and rescue / rehabilitation. While still in elementary school, I fostered multiple puppies and kittens for PAWS, a Chicago-based animal welfare organization, and in high school, I spent many spring and summer weeks in 2015 and 2016 with the Shedd Aquarium, working in the Shedd Stewards Program to restore habitats and remove invasive species. My plan was always to graduate college career-ready, so throughout college, I’ve peppered my studies with months-long internships -- at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Fl., where I led dolphin and sea lion presentations in front of live audiences and answered guest questions about our many animals; at Island Dolphin Care in Key Large, Fl., where I cared for dolphins and worked many husbandry and new training behaviors; and at National Marine Mammal Foundation in San Diego, Ca., where I cared for dolphins and sea lions in both open ocean and habitats. One of my favorite aspects of the work is watching people light up and connect with these beautiful and multi-faceted animals -- such pure joy!Throughout college, I’ve also held part-time jobs in animal care: during freshman and sophomore years, I worked as Team Lead for the Greyhound Adoption and Rescue Center in El Cajon, CA, where I helped nurture abused and neglected greyhounds with the goal of bringing them back to health. After only a few months on the job, I was promoted to team lead. During my junior and senior years, I worked at the Santa Barbara Zoo as a part-time Animal Experience Attendant.In December 2022, I travelled with a group to Thailand and Laos, interacting with local residents to provide English education and, and labor support for they're perm plots, livestock, and more. I was also able to learn about the importance of Asian Elephant and Asiatic Black Bear conservation and see first hand how interactions with these animals could be made.Importantly, I neither glamorize nor romanticize animal welfare positions. While I truly adore working with – and on behalf of -- animals, I am not afraid to get my hands dirty, literally and figuratively, and I know that communications are also critical throughout – in fundraising, reporting and documentation, promoting and marketing, and interacting with the public.I cannot wait to get started!