Hi I'm Lindsay and I'm a Zoologist

Summary

In this video, a zoologist shares their journey from being a music-loving teenager in LA to becoming passionate about wildlife conservation. They discuss their experiences volunteering at a big cat sanctuary in South Africa, studying zoology at Oregon State University, and interning at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. After facing challenges such as a back injury and leaving a job at a Wildcat Sanctuary, they transitioned to creating educational content on TikTok and YouTube. They aim to teach about evolution, conservation, and wildlife, while considering future goals like opening a big cat sanctuary.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker didn't originally plan to pursue zoology, having grown up in LA with interests in music and criminology.
• 🦁 A fascination with lions and volunteering at a big cat sanctuary in South Africa sparked the speaker's passion for zoology.
• ✈️ The speaker traveled to South Africa for a life-changing volunteer experience, supported by their father, which led to a shift in career goals.
• 🎓 Initially starting college with a criminology major, the speaker later transferred to Oregon State University to study zoology.
• 📚 The speaker found the zoology curriculum to be unexpectedly challenging, involving subjects like molecular biology, chemistry, calculus, and genetics.
• 🐾 A pivotal internship at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia helped the speaker gain hands-on experience with big cats and broadened their ecological perspective.
• 🔍 The speaker emphasizes that studying zoology in school focuses more on general mechanisms and research methods than on specific animal species.
• 🎥 After graduating in 2020 during the pandemic, the speaker started creating educational content on TikTok and later transitioned to YouTube.
• 🐱 The speaker dreams of opening a big cat sanctuary in California and plans to continue highlighting conservation efforts through content creation.
• 📖 The speaker expresses excitement about making longer, more in-depth educational videos on various wildlife topics, including some controversial issues like wildlife trafficking.

Q & A

How did the speaker initially get interested in zoology?

The speaker initially became interested in zoology after watching videos of lions on YouTube, which led to volunteering at a big cat sanctuary in South Africa. This experience sparked a passion for zoology.

What were the speaker's original career aspirations?

The speaker originally wanted to pursue a career in music or criminology, influenced by a love for playing guitar and watching shows like Criminal Minds.

Why did the speaker transfer from American University to Oregon State University?

The speaker transferred to Oregon State University to pursue zoology after discovering a new passion for animals during the volunteer trip to South Africa.

What challenges did the speaker face when starting zoology studies?

The speaker faced challenges with the rigorous coursework, including molecular biology, organic chemistry, and calculus, which were unexpected and difficult at first.

How did the speaker’s focus in zoology evolve over time?

Initially focused on big cats, the speaker's interest expanded to ecosystems and the broader environment after interning at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, where exposure to various animals and ecosystems shifted their perspective.

What significant experience did the speaker have in Namibia?

In Namibia, the speaker worked as the lead carnivore intern at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, participating in workups, releases, and learning about the importance of ecosystems, which broadened their understanding of animal conservation.

What did the speaker learn from upper-division courses in zoology?

Upper-division courses like invertebrate biology and evolutionary biology helped the speaker connect the dots about the origins of species and the complex mechanisms of evolution, deepening their understanding of the natural world.

What advice does the speaker offer to those considering a career in zoology?

The speaker advises that zoology is more focused on general mechanisms and research methods rather than specific species. Students should expect to learn big-picture concepts and research skills rather than detailed behaviors of particular animals.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the speaker’s career path after graduation?

The COVID-19 pandemic hindered the speaker's ability to find work at sanctuaries in Southern Africa, leading them to create educational content on TikTok as a temporary solution, which later turned into a full-time content creation career.

What are the speaker’s long-term career goals?

The speaker's long-term goals include going back to school for a master's degree and eventually opening a big cat sanctuary in California. They also plan to use their platform to support conservation efforts.