I'm considering becoming a volunteer at the NC Aquarium in Fort Fisher. Has anyone ever done this at any of the three state aquariums? I am a fisheries and wildlife major here at state and feel it would be a good resume booster and I also think I would enjoy teaching others about the ocean, especially all the kids. I love the ocean, spent half my life growing up in Carolina Beach and feel it would be a great way to give back. I am considering volunteering as an aquarist which helps maintain exhibits and work with animals and also join the dive team to participate in feeding the fish. Anybody have some personal experience? Likes or dislikes?

3/28/2010 11:56:23 PM

I had a friend who would volunteer at the one on Roanoke in the summer. She said it was a lot of fun but sometimes the kids would really piss her off lol.

3/29/2010 1:48:44 AM

I haven't worked in one of the aquariums, but I do have some experience volunteering in museums, handling animals (including some marine ones) and visitors, and my advice is to go for it. At times it can be immensely rewarding, like when you can tell you've got somebody really interested in something -- often for the first time. Or when you dispel a common misconception or get someone to overcome, even briefly, a fear or disgust. I worked a lot with snakes, so there were plenty of opportunities for that.

Of course, it can be frustrating. For every kid you inspire with a new interest, ten will be bored and three will be outright jerks. And when a kid's a jerk there's not much you can do about it without his parents shitting a brick. Likewise, for every misconception you correct there will be a bunch of people who think they know better. You learn to ignore most of that, though.

3/29/2010 4:17:06 AM

I did it in high school (and if you are from CB, we probably know each other...) and really enjoyed it. I ran the touch tank and various "stations" around the aquarium, identifying sea shells and teaching kids about fiddler crabs. They are very flexible with your schedule, so it wasn't a big deal to just come in for a few hours here or there. I also had a relationship with a lot of the staff from ocean science quiz bowl (we studied there) so I always had a blast. The biggest negative is that you never seem to get the film of salt off of you when you work the touch tank... bleh! Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.

3/29/2010 12:21:54 PM

Thanks guys. I'll be down there from wed-sun and am going to talk to someone at the aquarium. Never thought I would be so excited about a non paying job lol

3/29/2010 8:54:47 PM

I liked the place when I visited in '07. There were some awesome trees and not crowded beaches near by too. And the aquarium itself was pretty cool tool.

Non-paying jobs are always the best. With volunteering it is both rewarding and you can quit without giving a huge notice or having financial stress tied to it. Go for it! Have a blast

3/29/2010 9:04:45 PM

I've often thought about volunteering at the one here in PKS. I want to learn how to dive so I can feed the sharks in the living shipwreck.

I also wanna get married at the aquarium, I think it would be a cool way to have a beach wedding without actually have to rely on good weather to be outside.

3/31/2010 8:29:40 AM

^I saw a few weddings at the FF aquarium, and they were all AMAZING. I would LOVE to get married there, but when the day comes, it will probably have to be in a different city. The only stipulation is you can't really have dancing because loud music upsets the fish.

3/31/2010 10:21:50 AM