Happy National Student Employment Week!
Get to know some UC San Diego students making waves at Birch Aquarium
National Student Employment Week is part of a nationwide effort to acknowledge the dedication and impact of student employees. This week, Birch Aquarium is celebrating all the amazing UC San Diego student employees who help make the aquarium extraordinary every day!
Did you know that 65 UC San Diego students work at the aquarium? From welcoming guests and sharing fun facts about tide pool creatures to caring for marine life and supporting special events, they play a vital role in keeping things running smoothly every day. We caught up with a few of our amazing students to learn more about their journey. In the Q&A below, they share how they became part of the aquarium, the skills they've developed, projects they’re proud of, and more!
If you are a UC San Diego student interested in working at Birch Aquarium, check out UC San Diego's Handshake for any current openings. Heads up, almost all student jobs at the aquarium are also on UC San Diego's Co-Curricular Record!
Sarah, Education Assistant
Sarah is an Education Assistant at Birch Aquarium and a valued member of the Education Team! Her favorite animals at the aquarium are the Anemonefish and Weedy Sea Dragons. When she’s not educating our guests about our local marine life, Sarah is pursuing a degree in Ecology, Behavior & Evolution at UC San Diego.
How did you first hear about Birch Aquarium? What made you want to work here?
As a San Diego native, I grew up coming to Birch Aquarium with my family! When I started at UC San Diego and realized I could work here, it felt like everything had come full circle, and my childhood dream came true. I was so excited about the chance to be around beautiful marine life every day and to share my excitement with guests from all walks of life.
How has your work at the aquarium helped you prepare for your career goals?
Throughout college, I developed a strong passion for science communication and making education accessible to a wider audience. I hope to find a job that blends research with outreach, highlighting the connection between science and communication. My role at Birch Aquarium has been an incredible opportunity to hone my communication skills, especially when explaining complex topics about marine biology and conservation.
What's a project that you’ve worked on that you are most proud of?
One of the projects I’m most proud of is our Oceans at Night events. It’s been exciting to watch them grow and come to life since I started working here. I especially enjoy collaborating with other departments to create a memorable and engaging nighttime experience for our guests.
What’s a favorite memory you have from your time working here?
My favorite memory has been every single Oceans at Night. This event is such a fun after-hours vibe and I love helping set up different stations. Also, the guests are always so nice and having a fun time!
What advice would you give to other students seeking to gain valuable work experience?
Apply to Birch Aquarium … duh! But in all seriousness, my biggest advice is to find something that makes you happy and gives you a sense of purpose. For me, combining education with science has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’ve loved every moment of my time here at Birch Aquarium. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors and build relationships with them! They’re amazing resources and can offer so many opportunities, stories and wisdom.
Mika, Special Events Assistant
Mika is one of Birch Aquarium’s Special Events Assistants and a valued member of the Special Events Team! Her favorite animal at the aquarium is the rays. When she’s not helping guests create an unforgettable event, Mika is pursuing a degree in Applied Mathematics at UC San Diego.
How did you first hear about Birch Aquarium? What made you want to work here?
I first heard about Birch Aquarium when I applied to UC San Diego. After a campus tour, I got to visit the aquarium and was immediately drawn to the exhibits and animals. What drew me to work here was the opportunity to be part of such an inspiring environment, where I could connect with the ocean every day.
How has your work at the aquarium helped you prepare for your career goals?
My work at Birch Aquarium has been invaluable in preparing me for a future career in finance. In this role, I’ve had the opportunity to help manage financial operations – like accounts payable, accounts receivable and invoicing – helped me build a strong foundation in financial analysis and data processing. I also get to conduct market research, analyzing event pricing strategies across various venues! This experience has allowed me to apply quantitative methods to real-world scenarios and optimize revenue potential based on data trends. This job has also strengthened my skills in statistical analysis and forecasting, which are critical for financial modeling and quantitative analysis.
What's a project that you’ve worked on that you are most proud of?
I really enjoy helping coordinate vendors for one of the aquarium’s events, Oceans at Night. It’s been an incredible hands-on learning experience that’s taught me so much about what goes into planning a large-scale event.
What’s a favorite memory you have from your time working here?
I have such fond memories of the events we’ve held in December. I absolutely love the holiday lights we put up at the aquarium, they're so pretty right by the ocean view! It’s great to experience this holiday spirit alongside everyone, and seeing people enjoying their time at the event makes me happy.
What advice would you give to other students seeking to gain valuable work experience?
My advice is to put genuine effort into everything you do and take pride in the results you create! Also, stay flexible when things don’t go as planned – sometimes you're in the middle of a great opportunity and you don't even know it!
Jasmine, Guest Services Student Manager
Jasmine is a Guest Services Student Manager at Birch Aquarium and a valued member of the Guest Services Team! Her favorite animals at the aquarium are the Loggerhead Sea Turtle as well as the Two-Spot Octopus. When she’s not helping guests create unforgettable memories, Mika is pursuing a degree in Ecology, Behavior & Evolution at UC San Diego.
How did you first hear about Birch Aquarium? What made you want to work here?
I first heard about Birch Aquarium during UC San Diego’s Triton Weeks of Welcome! After visiting, I knew I wanted to work here for its great location and the opportunity to contribute to an organization dedicated to ocean conservation and education. I really enjoy marine science and all things ocean-related, so this was a great place to explore my passions!
How has your work at the aquarium helped you prepare for your career goals?
After graduating, I hope to pursue a career in conservation and restoration. The aquarium has inspired me to continue this path and I hope to gain more hands-on experience in habitat restoration.
What's a project that you’ve worked on that you are most proud of?
In the Guest Services department, I really enjoy connecting with guests visiting the aquarium and finding new ways to enhance their experience. Additionally, I've helped develop new training documents for new student employees, aiming to streamline the learning process and make it more fun!
What’s a favorite memory you have from your time working here?
I had just started working here around the opening of Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins, and it was so fun seeing how excited people were about penguins! I’m really excited to see that same response for our new exhibition Living Seas, which opens May 22, 2025! It’s been really cool seeing the changes that have happened while I have worked here, like these new exhibits!
What advice would you give to other students seeking to gain valuable work experience?
My advice is to take full advantage of the connections and opportunities available to you as an undergraduate at UC San Diego. The university offers a lot of resources for career services, like editing resumes and cover letters. Also, it’s important to be passionate about the work you want to do, as that passion will be recognized.
Jackie, Husbandry Aquarist Assistant
Jackie is an Aquarist Assistant at Birch Aquarium and a valued member of the Husbandry Team! Her favorite animal at the aquarium is the Porcupine Pufferfish. When she’s not caring for our animals, Jackie is pursuing a degree in Ecology, Behavior & Evolution at UC San Diego.
How did you first hear about Birch Aquarium? What made you want to work here?
I grew up in San Diego, so I have fond memories of visiting Birch Aquarium with my grandpa when I was younger. During my sophomore year at UC San Diego, I decided to pursue a minor in Marine Science. I knew working at Birch Aquarium would be the perfect way to surround myself with people who share my passion for marine life!
How has your work at the aquarium helped you prepare for your career goals?
Working at the aquarium has allowed me to learn from passionate, experienced aquarists who’ve deepened my understanding of marine biology and animal care. Along the way, they’ve helped me develop valuable life skills that I’ll carry with me throughout my professional career.
What's a project that you’ve worked on that you are most proud of?
I feel really lucky to be part of the team caring for the juvenile Weedy Sea Dragons growing up behind the scenes. One of my favorite parts of my shift is feeding them their nightly mysis shrimp feed and watching them grow a little bigger every day. It’s been such a rewarding experience seeing their progress up close!
What’s a favorite memory you have from your time working here?
One of my favorite memories from working at Birch Aquarium was meeting Meatloaf, the Little Blue Penguin, for the first time. She instantly stole my heart, and it was such a special moment!
What advice would you give to other students seeking to gain valuable work experience?
My advice is to find a work environment that fuels your passion, challenges you to grow and motivates you to achieve your goals. When you're surrounded by inspiring people and work that excites you, even the toughest days feel worthwhile.
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