MEET OUR SUMMER INTERN KELSEY
Kelsey Paluch joined us this Summer as an amazing PR and communications intern and has been a dedicated & inspiring addition to our team. Born and raised in upstate New York, Kelsey is currently an undergraduate student at East Carolina University (ECU) majoring in communications with a concentration in public relations, and a major in dance performance and choreography.
Learn more about why she is passionate about Wild Tomorrow’s mission in this Q&A style interview below.
Kelsey meeting monkeys at a sanctuary in the Dominican Republic.
Kelsey joined us this Summer, and it’s been a whirlwind of activity across her internship. Kelsey, with her background in PR and communications (and dance!) has been researching media contacts, assisting with event planning and production, writing blog posts, press releases - and finally gotten us up and running on Tik Tok!
While Kelsey’s favorite animals have always been elephants and monkeys, she is now also a new big fan of the serval, learning lots of amazing facts about them while researching and writing 10 fun facts about servals. It’s been a pleasure having Kelsey on the team and ramping up our communications during the Summer. Learn more about Kelsey in our Q&A style interview below.
How did you learn about Wild Tomorrow and our work?
It was through my father's position as an Environmental Conservation Officer with New York State that I became aware of Wild Tomorrow. Because of his position, he is able to travel to Africa often. My father had taken me on the trip with him in 2019, and during that trip, I got the opportunity to learn about the Wild Tomorrow's strides to protect wildlife as well as seeing the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve.
Why does Wild Tomorrow’s mission resonate with you?
Wild Tomorrow's mission resonates with me because conserving wildlife before it's too late is a pressing matter. Once a species is gone, we can't bring it back. I think it's important to take steps to protect the remaining wildlife and to deepen our understanding of the human impact on nature. We need to use that understanding to make changes that are beneficial to the wild.
The most exciting aspect of Wild Tomorrow's work is the unbelievable growth they've achieved since they started this organization. Their continuous expansion and the passion they bring to their work is truly inspiring. It's thrilling to hear about the opening of the conservation center and the creation of a corridor that allows animals to roam freely. Knowing that Wild Tomorrow is making a real difference for animals and their habitats, from NYC, is incredibly exciting and inspiring.
For as long as I can remember, my father has taught me the importance of protecting wildlife and preserving the natural environment. What excited me the most about my internship was the opportunity to learn extensively about wildlife and deepen my understanding of the conservation efforts taken by Wild Tomorrow. I was also thrilled about the opportunity of living in New York City for six weeks, exploring everything the city has to offer while gaining this valuable experience.
What is your favorite African animal?
Elephants are my all-time favorite animal. Not only are they beautiful but also possess a strong sense of family and the ability to remember experiences from their youth. Fun fact: elephants can get sunburned! I saw elephants for the first time in the wild at Tembe Elephant Park in South Africa, a reserve supported by Wild Tomorrow. It was amazing!
How was the internship helpful for you in terms of experience building?
This internship has been incredibly valuable to me because I have improved in my areas of study, particularly communication and public relations. I've had the opportunity to write blog posts, press releases, and announcements, which has been greatly beneficial. Additionally, attending meetings and interacting with donors firsthand has provided invaluable experience. I've also gained extensive knowledge about Wild Tomorrow's mission and how they assist various species in South Africa. As an intern, I've learned about animals I had never heard of before, such as servals and pangolins. Researching and learning about these species and Wild Tomorrow's work has positively changed my perspective.
What pleasantly surprised me the most about this internship was how Wild Tomorrow efficiently manages such a variety of tasks simultaneously. Observing the organization juggle many projects at once while staying organized was impressive. Additionally, I was amazed by the extensive network of connections they have and the individuals I had the privilege to meet through Wild Tomorrow events and the work itself.
I am so grateful for this experience!
We are so grateful you were able to join us this Summer, Kelsey! Hope after graduation you find a way to combine dance and wildlife conservation.
#thankyou #summerintern #savingwildlife #wildtomorrow