The National Tigers for Tigers Coalition is proud to announce that we have our first official intern at the offices in Washington, D.C.! Taylor Tench will be a Policy Intern this summer for Tigers for Tigers tackling wildlife trafficking issues, planning for our first ever leadership conference, and aiding in communication with all of our T4T students across the country. Let's just say this intern won't be fetching morning coffee!
A 2015 Clemson graduate, Taylor is getting real life experience right out of college in the conservation world. Saving our mascot from extinction is vital, but so is offering our students amazing opportunities to learn, network, and get jobs that they are passionate about. I sat down with Taylor last week to learn more about his experience with T4T, and what he hopes to get out of it!
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| Taylor with his T4T gear in the D.C. office! |
C: How did you get involved with Tigers for
Tigers?
T: I became
involved with Tigers for Tigers my freshman year at Clemson University. I had
always been interested in endangered species conservation and once I discovered
an organization on campus dedicated to saving our mascot I was immediately
hooked.
C: What have you learned through your
involvement with T4T?
T: T4T taught
me so much throughout my college career, not only about tigers but also about
the field of conservation, teamwork, leadership, and the value of hard work.
Before my involvement in T4T I had a very narrow view of conservation in that I
assumed “conservation” was limited to going out to some exotic location,
studying an animal, and somehow that was all it took to make a difference. I
have learned that it takes collaboration from all different disciplines
(science, policy, law, communications, education, etc) to enact successful
conservation efforts. Through my time as a T4T member at Clemson I transitioned
from an ordinary member, to an officer in the organization, to President my
senior year. My experiences in T4T at Clemson showed me just how important
teamwork is to accomplish your goals. It takes hard work from a team of
like-minded individuals to achieve difficult objectives, and thankfully T4T is full
of members across the country ready to do what it takes to save our mascot!
Even now as an intern I continue to learn each day, and that is what keeps me
so interested in and excited about the work this organization is undertaking.
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| Taylor volunteers at Clemson's organization fair "Tiger Prowl" in 2013 |
C: What kinds of things are you taking on this
summer for your internship with NT4TC?
T: I’m taking
on any and every task the Coalition needs me to do to this summer. So far I’ve been
helping out with planning for Global Tiger Day, writing letters, attending
hearings on newly introduced legislation, corresponding with students and
faculty coming up to DC next week, and am working on putting together
information for some new Coalition publications. Soon I’ll begin putting
together content for the Coalition’s fall leadership conference. So needless to
say, I have plenty to keep me busy!
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| Taylor speaks at the 2013 5K he organized |
C: What do you hope to get out of your
internship?
T: I want to
contribute as much as I can to help the Coalition grow and succeed. I’ve been a
part of the Coalition ever since its inception and believe this organization is
on its way to be a huge player in the world of tiger conservation. Additionally
I’m hoping to learn as much as I can about the policy side of conservation and
understand how things get accomplished here in our nation’s capitol.
C: You’re from Florida, went to college at
Clemson and are now in D.C. How are you enjoying it?
T: I love it!
It’s very different from what I’m used to, but I think that’s what makes it so
exciting.
C: What advice would you give to other T4T
members?
T: Stay
open-minded and don’t lose sight of your goals. Take chances and expose
yourself to different fields and experiences outside of your main interest. As
long as you continue to work hard and seize every opportunity handed to you,
you will succeed.
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Taylor is currently helping lead T4T leaders on a three day trip in D.C. to talk to senators about wildlife trafficking. Stay tuned for a blog this Friday all about their accomplishments!
Go Tigers!
Carrah Lingo
Communications Associate
NT4TC
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