Cindie Hengen
 Cindie Hengen is an Animal and Avian sciences major in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  She spent this summer interning at the Animal Care Taking center at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.  Cindie knew she had an interest in exotic animal medicine, so she looked online to see if the National Aquarium had internship positions.  She had already interned at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and she was looking for something different.  She had a phone interview and was offered the job.

Cindie says that at the National Zoo, her work was more focused on research and theory, but at the National Aquarium, her work was hands-on caretaking.  "One day, I had the opportunity to assist the veterinarians in taking an ultrasound on a bonnethead shark!" she says. 

She worked mainly with an aquarist and a herpetologist, who works with reptiles.  Cindie says her co-workers would let her help out with medical procedures.  "They knew I wanted to be a vet."

Although Cindie wants to work with exotic animals, she was a little anxious when dealing with certain animals.  "I handled venomous snakes and very big turtles.  I was afraid of getting bitten."  She says she grew more confident because her mentors put a lot of effort into making her feel more comfortable.

Cindie believes this internship experience will make her a more competitive applicant for veterinary school, but she says she could also see a future in Marine Biology.  Her dream, she says, would be to work with animals at an institution like Sea World.

Throughout her experience, Cindie learned a lot and has advice for aspiring interns: "Don't ever assume that a dream or goal is unattainable.  If you network, it's definitely possible.  One thing builds off another."

Cindie also says its important to maintain the connections you make.  "Once you do an internship, stay in contact with those mentors.  They could really help you down the road."

Last updated: 10/12/2009