John Ball Zoo Marketing and Social Media
Bailee
Experience Information
Employer: John Ball Zoo
Job Title: Social Media Marketing Intern
Major: Advertising & Public Relations
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
John Ball Zoo is a nonprofit AZA accredited zoo that is dedicated to wildlife conservation. JBZ sees roughly 500,000 annual visitors and is home to more than 2,000 animals of 230 different species.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
At John Ball Zoo, I co-managed their social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This involved spending a significant amount of time photographing animals and staff and writing content for posts. I also worked on newsletters, press releases, radio ads, and keeping track of media mentions.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained so much knowledge about wildlife conservation- something I'm extremely passionate about, as well as the importance of maintaining a positive, transparent relationship with the public. I learned about what goes into nonprofit marketing and management, as well as all the things involved in running a zoo.
Favorite Part of the Experience
I never felt like I was even at work. I got to spend everyday using a platform to spread awareness of wildlife conservation and sustainability. I loved forming relationships with my coworkers and spending ample amount of time photographing and learning about all of the beautiful animals.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I always knew my dream job would involve sustainability/the environment, but living that dream the last 6 months has definitely solidified those goals. I want my passions and values to show through my work and use advertising to communicate important messages and make a difference.