The NAT isn't just a museam, it's also a non-profit research institute. Their mission is to "interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of Southern California and the peninsula of Baja California; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment."
The NAT is broken down into different departments. They have their board of directors, visitor services, education, botany, entomology, paleontology, herpetology, marine invertebrates, mineralogy, and birds and mammals.
I'm working in Paleontology for a little bit, Entomology for one week, and Education for two weeks. In Entomology I'm helping sort flies in entomology. I'm helping with research and programs in education.
About my mentors from mentor interview questions:
Janet Morris is a one-woman team. She's in charge of all the volunteers, interns, and is my head mentor. She kind of fell into working at the NAT. She's worked in hospitals and businesses administration before working here. Janet says that enthusiasm, a passion for nature, and a good work ethic are the important traits in order to successful at the NAT. Her advice for working here is to always be enthusiastic, always ask questions, and never assume if you're not sure.
Jim Berrian works in the entomology department at the NAT (entomology is the study of insects). He used to be a high school biology teacher who volunteered at the museam in his free time. His friend invited him over to work with spiders and then he kinda fell into wokring here. His typical work day inculdes checking his email, then sorting and identifying spiders, and helping the volunteers sort through insects. Fun fact: 80% of known species are insects.
Christine works in the education department at the NAT. She is in charge of organizing the logistics of programs and camps. She was a art history major in college and owned a bead shore for a while. Then after the recession she started working in visitor services. She took oppurtunites to help out and she was offered to teach summer camp by the then Director of Education. Her advice about working here is to have passion for the misssion, be flexible, and to be open to new oppurtunities.
The NAT is broken down into different departments. They have their board of directors, visitor services, education, botany, entomology, paleontology, herpetology, marine invertebrates, mineralogy, and birds and mammals.
I'm working in Paleontology for a little bit, Entomology for one week, and Education for two weeks. In Entomology I'm helping sort flies in entomology. I'm helping with research and programs in education.
About my mentors from mentor interview questions:
Janet Morris is a one-woman team. She's in charge of all the volunteers, interns, and is my head mentor. She kind of fell into working at the NAT. She's worked in hospitals and businesses administration before working here. Janet says that enthusiasm, a passion for nature, and a good work ethic are the important traits in order to successful at the NAT. Her advice for working here is to always be enthusiastic, always ask questions, and never assume if you're not sure.
Jim Berrian works in the entomology department at the NAT (entomology is the study of insects). He used to be a high school biology teacher who volunteered at the museam in his free time. His friend invited him over to work with spiders and then he kinda fell into wokring here. His typical work day inculdes checking his email, then sorting and identifying spiders, and helping the volunteers sort through insects. Fun fact: 80% of known species are insects.
Christine works in the education department at the NAT. She is in charge of organizing the logistics of programs and camps. She was a art history major in college and owned a bead shore for a while. Then after the recession she started working in visitor services. She took oppurtunites to help out and she was offered to teach summer camp by the then Director of Education. Her advice about working here is to have passion for the misssion, be flexible, and to be open to new oppurtunities.