ANDREA FALCETTO, EDUCATION COORDINATOR
You might have seen her dressed as a turkey or wearing her favorite dinosaur dress! We hope you are inspired by Andrea’s career path and her creative expression.
Get to know Andrea in the interview below.
WHAT’S YOUR WORKDAY LIKE?
Every day is different and some mornings you have no idea how your day will go. Typically, I’m making sure the education program is running smoothly.
We are responsible for field trips, educational programs, outreach education, teacher workshops, summer camps, education animal care, and events. Some days, it’s a field trip or hike outside, taking an animal to the veterinarian, or working on grants in the office.
ANY FUNNY WORK STORIES?
I met someone new while out and about in town and they said “I’ve seen you before, you were on the news”! I asked if it was for our New Year’s Eve party and they said “No, you were dressed as a turkey.” Yes, I usually dress as a turkey for our “WILD About Gobblers” event.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND & EDUCATION
I grew up in Kansas and had a small, American Zoo Association accredited zoo right down the road. That is where I developed my passion for animals and conservation.
After graduating from Kansas State University and working at a zoo throughout college, I moved to Florida and began working at the Florida Aquarium, beginning in the education department and later as an aquarist.
Shortly after, I found myself in Morocco with the Peace Corps for two years working in environmental education outside of a newly developed national park.
After returning to the United States, I was in Kentucky for a graduate degree, where I completed my graduate research in Kenya.
I worked at the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Louisiana as an education/volunteer/events coordinator before coming to Mississippi. I’ve been the Education Coordinator at MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science for 2.5 years. I love traveling and any type of outdoor activity (kayaking, SCUBA, camping, hiking, etc.).
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?
I knew from an early age that I wanted to work with animals. I thought that I would be a veterinarian, before I knew about all the career opportunities that I would have, but, I learned there are so many other ways to work with animals.
HOW DOES YOUR JOB CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION?
We teach guests about the importance of Mississippi wildlife and their habitats every day, hopefully inspiring a generation of future conservationists.
ANY ADVICE FOR A STUDENT INTERESTED IN A BIOLOGY OR MUSEUM CAREER?
Find your local museum, zoo, aquarium, or nature center and get involved early. We love volunteers!
