Amber Speight
Summer 2019 Engagement Scholarship Recipient
First of all, I would like to show my appreciation for receiving this scholarship. I am really excited to embark on my engagement activity with the support of the President’s Emerging Scholar’s program. Earning the wonderful PES Engagement Scholarship has been great because it offers me an opportunity to explore my passion by participating in my internship. So far, I have had four training days at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in the hoofstock department working alongside zookeepers and staff. Everyone I have worked with thus far has been both knowledgeable and welcoming; I am having a great time! While some tasks are less than glamorous, they are excellent experiences with wonderful people and amazing animals. I would not be able to enjoy my engagement activity without the assistance of this scholarship; it allows me to look forward to my future career.
Worrying about finances makes searching for unpaid internships very stressful and often discouraging. Therefore, I am thankful for this opportunity. Wonderful programs like this one help alleviate my financial concerns, allowing me to focus on figuring out a career that I can look forward to. My engagement activity appears to be a rewarding adventure into the area of zookeeping, which will help me discover whether it’s right for me and how to explore my potential. Being a college student can be difficult but having this support has made the impossible possible. Thank you.