Alumni Spotlight: Kaitlin Kuylen

Kaitlin Kuylen, Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 2017

Current Position

Audubon Zoo, Guest Engagement Educator

About

My name is Kaitlin Kuylen, I’m 24 years old and from Thibodaux, LA. When applying for college, I always knew I wanted to attend LSU, but was unsure about what career path I wanted to pursue. All I knew was that I wanted to work with animals, but I was not interested in veterinary medicine. When I discovered the RNR program, I knew right away that this was the perfect fit for me and my goals in life. Now post grad, I have my dream job not only working with animals, but also having the platform to educate members of my community on wildlife, animal care, and the important conservation work by AZA zoos and aquariums every day!  

Job Responsibilities

My daily work responsibilities revolve around the creation and implementation of informal educational programming throughout the zoo. These programs are anything from exhibit chats to ambassador animal encounters, all with the goal of connecting guests to our animals and to the current conservation issues that they face. My absolute favorite part of my job is animal training! Every day I get to work with some amazing ambassador birds, reptiles, and mammals by using positive reinforcement to train them for these programs that highlight their natural behaviors and abilities. 

Favorite LSU Memory

My favorite memory from LSU was definitely having the opportunity to travel to Africa for the African Wildlife Ecology course. Being able to fully immerse into a totally new perspective on wildlife policy and conservation was an unforgettable experience. 

What advice do you have for current and prospective LSU Agriculture students?

My advice to current students is to get out there and get involved! Take every opportunity to volunteer, join clubs and organizations, and apply for internships that interest you! This not only will help you make connections with those in your field, but will also help you to get a glimpse into all the possible career options out there for you.