Haillie Mesics has joined CROW as a Conservation Education and Marketing Intern. Mesics, who’s from Vermont, received her Bachelors degree in Philosophy with concentrations in legal advocacy, sustainability, and wildlife conservation from the University of Tampa. Before arriving at CROW, she completed a wildlife care internship at the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine.
The Conservation Education & Marketing Internship is a six-month program designed for those interested in pursuing careers in environmental conservation, communication or other related fields. Interns learn about CROW on an organizational level and apply the information through public speaking engagements and outreach events. They also learn about the impact of communication through social media outlets and community partnerships with local newspaper and media companies.
“I’m hoping to gain a greater understanding of the vast biodiversity in coastal environments along with finding new and interesting ways to engage the public on what can be done to protect/preserve these wild spaces.,” says Mesics. “I also hope to supplement my wildlife rehabilitation knowledge with marketing skills to better understand the functionality on the business end of a non-profit organization.”
Mesics will be engaging with visitors to the Education Center and events along with helping develop content for CROW’s social media pages, website, and news stories. Her aspirations extend beyond the internship into helping wildlife through legislation.
“Ideally, I would like to continue my experience in wildlife rehabilitation and, eventually, attend law school,” she says. “This path would allow me to immerse myself in practical knowledge that can be utilized to develop future legislation protecting wildlife and preserving natural ecosystems.”