What Drives a Career in Conservation? Community, Empathy, and Resilience.

23 October 2024 Off By Bambam

This piece comes to us from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Views and opinions expressed in blog posts are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of THIRTEEN Productions LLC/The WNET Group.


Cynthia meets an owl at the Bronx Zoo’s Birds in Flight event. Photo: Julie Larsen ©WCS.

Cynthia meets an owl at the Bronx Zoo’s Birds in Flight event. Photo: Julie Larsen ©WCS.

Growing up in the vibrant streets of New York City’s Spanish Harlem and later in Staten Island, I was deeply influenced by the diversity around me. Raised in a Hispanic household, I learned strong values, hard work, and the importance of community from my parents, especially the remarkable women in my family. Living in NYC housing, I witnessed the beauty and complexity of our neighborhoods and recognized our shared desire for a better future.

My Puerto Rican and Spanish roots have instilled in me a deep sense of community and resilience. The values of giving back and supporting one another have fueled my passion for empowering others and allowed me to advocate for a better future, shaping my approach to work in a non-profit.

Finding a job within a non-profit organization was not easy. Despite my passion and determination, I faced numerous obstacles along the way. With no hands-on experience in the field, many doors were closed to me. It was a tough reality check, one that challenged my resilience and made me question my path. My fortunes changed in 2001, when the Wildlife Conservation Society gave me an opportunity as a seasonal employee for the Membership Department.

While I wasn’t working directly with animals, WCS provided guidance and support, showing me how my efforts contributed to their mission. My role allowed me to connect with families in the community, selling memberships while advocating for wildlife, a value I learned growing up.

After four years, I became a full-time supervisor, which opened doors for further growth. I had the opportunity to work at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and the New York Aquarium, taking on roles from Assistant Manager for Admissions to Manager of Central Office. This allowed me to hire, train, and mentor young people in the community—a role in which my heritage helped me relate to their challenges and support their career goals.

Cynthia notes, “The New York City Comic convention welcomed and celebrated everyone for being their true selves, regardless of cultural heritage, physical abilities, personal identity, or expression. This event offered a platform for everyone to unleash their inner hero, including our very own Superheroes for Wildlife!” Photo courtesy Cynthia Gonzalez.

Cynthia notes, “The New York City Comic convention welcomed and celebrated everyone for being their true selves, regardless of cultural heritage, physical abilities, personal identity, or expression. This event offered a platform for everyone to unleash their inner hero, including our very own Superheroes for Wildlife!” Photo courtesy Cynthia Gonzalez.

As the Senior Manager of Member Services, I often reflect on how my background has shaped my journey at WCS. My sense of community, empathy, and resilience has enabled me to connect with diverse audiences and understand the needs of families visiting our parks.

I can still picture the pride on my dad’s face when he shared with family and friends that I worked at the Bronx Zoo. He faced many struggles growing up in Brooklyn as a young Hispanic who could speak English but struggled with reading and writing. After his passing in 2023, I will always treasure the pride he felt in my ability to overcome challenges and in my dedication to my incredible organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Cynthia at the Bronx Zoo’s Zoo Center. Photo courtesy Cynthia Gonzalez.

Cynthia at the Bronx Zoo’s Zoo Center. Photo courtesy Cynthia Gonzalez.

My hope is to see more Hispanic individuals pursuing careers in conservation, a field that has not traditionally been a common path for many in our community. Factors such as limited access to education, financial barriers, and a lack of representation have contributed to this trend.

Yet if we are to effectively support the next generation in wildlife conservation, we must first understand their challenges. As the saying goes, we must first “seek to understand, then to be understood.”

With smartphones in almost everyone’s hands, I encourage Hispanic conservationists to leverage social media platforms to make learning about wildlife engaging and accessible. By highlighting our work as professionals with similar backgrounds who have faced comparable challenges, we can capture the attention of young people, serve as role models, and inspire their interest in conservation careers.

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