Leanne White
Director of Education
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Jacksonville, FL USA
“Somebody took a chance on me and I’ll never forget that.”
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Jacksonville, FL USA
“Somebody took a chance on me and I’ll never forget that.”
Director of Education
I'm responsible for community education and volunteer engagement programming for the zoo.
Here's the first step for college students
Studying zoology or biology can open doors more quickly if you want to work with animals. However, I got my foot in the door by following my interest and volunteering at a zoo. If working with animals is your passion, don't write it off just because your background is in something else. People think zoos only have zookeepers and veterinarians—that's not true! We have many different departments—IT, finance, education, nutrition, etc—so you're likely to find something that can fit your background.
"You shouldn't apply for that position. You already have a good job—just stay where you are."
Paths to fulfilling work for all learning styles