PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - This summer, cross country and track & field athlete Emma East has traded the track for zoo grounds — stepping into a hands-on role as a Conservation Education Intern at the Philadelphia Zoo.

In her position, Emma spends her days interacting with guests, setting up Conservation Stations, showcasing animals, and sharing information about wildlife, environmental issues, and partnerships that support global conservation efforts.

"It's shown me what it's like to work in the zoo field and opened my eyes to all the opportunities out there," she said.

The experience is more than just educational. It's a meaningful step toward Emma's career goals — and a chance to grow personally and professionally.

"There are a lot of really educated people working at the zoo, and at first I was intimidated," she admitted. "But I handled it by diving into research so I could be prepared to answer questions and feel confident in what I was teaching."

Emma credits her time as a Division III student-athlete at DelVal for preparing her to succeed in this fast-paced, people-focused role.

"Being an athlete helped me build strong teamwork skills, which I use every day at the internship," she said.

Her advice to other student-athletes? Don't just show up — fully engage.

"Use the opportunity to your best ability," she said. "Network, ask questions, and learn everything you can."