Hot Mess of an Identity Essay

    Danny Creelman
    Mrs. Dunsten Hoover
    AP Language
    8th October 2019
As I sat in the crowded room, I felt overwhelmed. I was at an interview to become a volunteer at the Cincinnati Zoo, and I felt beyond nervous. I have always been a shy person who literally shook in one-on-one interview conditions, and this was no different. After a couple of minutes, a woman got on the small stage at the front of the room. She explained that the interview would be more like team bonding than an actual interview. She explained that we would be sorted into small groups, and each group would be given a task or challenge, and that we should just be ourselves. I felt a sudden, spontaneous surge of confidence flow through me. I had prepared myself to be picked apart in a one-on-one discussion, not for games. I don't remember much of what happened during the rest of the interview, other than my newfound confidence. A few months later, I received an acceptance letter into the program. Little did I know that this program would change my life. 
Over the four years I have been at the zoo, I have learned how to communicate effectively, read body language, and speak up for myself. My first summer in the program was fun, but I was a mess. My job was to speak to guests about the animals, answer their questions, and let them leave the zoo having learned something new. Having to put myself out of my comfort zone and into the large crowds in the park was difficult, and I really struggled. However, I was able to work with other teen volunteers, and they guided me along throughout the summer. The next summer I came back, with an eagerness to do my best. This summer, I started to form true friendships with people that I worked with. I also watched the adult leaders at the zoo, and I noticed how they phrased things and how they treated each guest. I also noticed how they would kindly tell guests to stop doing something if they were breaking rules. I mimicked their actions, and soon I was doing them naturally. Being submerged in crowds everyday also allowed me to learn how people acted when they wanted something, when they wanted to leave, when they were calm, when they were anxious, etc. I quickly learned when to approach someone and ask if they needed help with directions, and when to leave them alone. I have been able to apply these skills to everyday life, and they have made it much easier.


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