Q+A with Shark Aquarist Elsa Schmidtke
Are you interested in having a future as a Shark Aquarist? If this is why you are here, you are on the right page. Panoramic Ocean is so excited to celebrate Shark Week by talking to a professional in the industry.
Today, on Panoramic Ocean, I'm excited to host a Q+A with Ms. Elsa Schmidtke, who's an aquarist, friend, and small business owner. I have gotten to know Elsa for over a year, and she is someone who is constantly moving forward and sprinkling inspiration along the way.
Without wasting any further time, let's quickly ask some questions and get responses from Ms. Elsa.
Elsa training a shark to target.
Howdy Elsa, thank you so much for agreeing to do a little interview for Panoramic Ocean's Shark Week. Would you mind describing your experiences with the ocean/nature and what inspires you to get up every morning?
My love for the ocean has always had a significant impact on my life, and it helps me stay motivated. It seems that all my favorite things somehow connect me back to those colorful underwater reefs and kelp forests. Working full-time as a saltwater aquarist has helped me gain a greater appreciation for the many different ecosystems in our oceans. In addition, my job allows me to learn firsthand just how complex and diverse these underwater habitats are.
On select evenings after work, I will head over to our local scuba shop where I work as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor! While I may currently live in land-locked Utah, we have access to many great local dive sites. Being able to watch someone experience the greatness of being able to breathe underwater for the first time is incredible. I keep myself pretty busy between those two jobs. However, when I have free time, I like to create ocean-themed art for my Etsy shop, ArtSea Acrylics.
WOW! You are an extremely motivated individual. Being a shark aquarist is beyond excellent. I was hoping you could walk me through the step-by-step process you went through to get the position you currently have. What was the first thing you did? Next?
For anyone trying to break into the animal care field, it isn't an easy feat. I began working towards my current position at just 15 years old. When I was 15, I landed a role as a summer camp volunteer through my local aquarium. While I was excited to be taking the first step towards my future career, I was slightly disappointed that I wouldn't be volunteering directly with animals. However, it was through this position that my life path would become clear to me. That summer, as a counselor, I made crafts, learned about animals, and rounded up groups of children. I had way more fun than I thought I would, and it set in motion future opportunities and built a lot of helpful connections.
That summer after camp ended, my aquarium allowed me to stay on the volunteer team during the school year. That year I worked as an exhibit interpreter volunteer, speaking in the exhibit halls to guests. That position helped me realize that I love engaging people in education. I stayed on the education side of things for about three years. I ended up getting invited back to the summer camp team as an intern counselor for two more summers! I knew I didn't want to do education-based science forever. I worked to earn my PADI divemaster rating and then transferred to the volunteer dive team!
As a member of the volunteer dive team, I worked hard to maintain various exhibits, including sharks, penguins, river channels, and so much more. The majority of the staff divers I was working with were part of the saltwater aquarist team! I was able to get to know them and learn more about their job and what they do each day. Finally, they told me that I should come volunteer on the saltwater team to learn more about running larger aquarium systems. This offer was an opportunity that made my career!! After a year and a half of volunteering and learning with their team, I was offered my first full-time position! Now I've had the opportunity to be primary aquarist over our elasmobranch touch-pool, juvenile epaulette sharks, and our jellyfish hall! And of course, I still get to assist with the care of some larger ram ventilators, benthic cold water sharks, and tropical reef sharks.
My pathway to becoming an aquarist was scattered all over the place, but I am glad it was messy. The connections and friendships I made with all the employees helped me land the position I currently have.
What advice did you receive that helped you reach your dreams?
The advice that helped me out the most, even though it might sound silly, was to be friendly to everyone. I went out of my comfort zone to say hi to people I didn't know. Those people ended up becoming my supervisors, coworkers, etc. The friendlier you are, the more people remember you!
What piece of advice would you bestow upon anyone who wants to have a career working with sharks?
Start working towards your dream job now! This field is highly competitive, so it pays to build up your resume as much as you can. Don't be afraid to apply to as many random internships, volunteer positions, and job listings that you can find! Keep in mind that most facilities are looking for previous animal experience on a resume. However, also remember not to feel discouraged if you are denied a position. It took me five years of volunteering and two separate interviews for my aquarist position before I was offered the job. That being said, take my advice and just don't give up!
What is the Coolest Shark fact you know?
Epaulette sharks can hold their breath for over an hour (Sometimes close to 3 hours) by slowing down their body's internal processes! The sharks use this ability to scavenge between tide pools, escape predators, or hunt in shallow water. In addition, they use their large pectoral fins to help them "walk" across land.
So you are a small business owner, that's so awesome! Tell us about your small business!
ArtSea Acrylics started as a small quarantine project that ended up becoming big! It started because I wanted to raise money for my aquarium that closed due to the pandemic. I initially sold small 6" x6" paintings for $15 and I told people I would donate 40% straight to the aquarium. I ended up raising $500 in just two months! I had never been so busy in my life. I would be up painting early in the morning and would stay up late trying to finish them all in time. I had so much fun doing that little fundraiser, so I decided to turn some of my paintings into stickers and open my etsy shop! Currently I create custom paintings, stickers, prints, stationary, and so much more! Now that my aquarium is open to the public again, I decided to share the wealth and pick a new organization to help! I am now donating 10% of my monthly profit to the Coral Restoration Foundation. I have had the opportunity to work closely with them over the past three years and see first hand what they are doing to protect Florida's reefs. As of July, 2021 we have raised over $820 for different conservation efforts!
Elsa, What you are doing is amazing! Where can our readers support your business?
You can find my shop by searching ArtSeaAcrylics on Etsy, or by following @artseaacrylics on instagram!
