Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Freelancing & Volunteering
Timeline
Generic

Lauren Newman

Detail-Oriented Professional With Expertise In Animal Science
Gulfport

Summary

Dynamic animal science professional with a strong foundation in zoological care, guest engagement, and operational support. Adept in creative problem-solving and critical thinking, with a history of adapting to high-pressure environments and resolving challenges effectively. Proven ability to self-start, multitask, and thrive in both independent and team-based roles. Committed to fostering positive public interactions and supporting high standards.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Animal Care Specialist

Mississippi Aquarium
11.2024 - 04.2025
  • Provided emergency care to critically ill or injured animals under supervision from veterinary professionals resulting in swift recoveries.
  • Assisted in the design of innovative enclosures that mimicked natural habitats while maximizing space usage and visitor engagement opportunities.
  • Enhanced animal well-being by conducting regular health assessments and administering appropriate medical treatments.
  • Maintained clean habitats by following strict sanitation protocols, maximizing animal welfare.
  • Presented educational programming for visitors, promoting awareness about conservation issues and proper animal care practices.
  • Prepared special diets for animals to accommodate specific health conditions and species-specific needs.

Guest Experience Specialist

Mississippi Aquarium
06.2023 - Current
  • Engaging with wide range of guests, reaching all through flexible combinations of education, conservational messaging, and empathy.
  • Monitoring exhibit spaces, assessing proper body and behavioral condition of animals, state of habitats, and guest interactions therewith.
  • Organizing, presenting variety of spoken presentations before general public.
  • Quickly attending to needs, concerns of several hundred guests in a day, maintaining composure during crises, and balancing numerous tasks simultaneously.
  • Collaborating in fast-paced work environment with diverse team(s) of professionals.
  • Performing physically intensive activities, lifting, pulling, bending, etc., upwards of 50lbs both in and out of inclement or extreme weather conditions.

Hostess

P.F. Chang's Bistro
09.2021 - 10.2021
  • Resolved all patron complaints, requests, queries in order to maintain favorable guest dining environment both from front of house and over telephone.
  • Directed, assigned guests, groups to tables suitable for their individual needs and to benefit restaurant section rotation in expedient manner.
  • Collaborated with over 40-person wait staff to move, stage tables and adjust seating to accommodate groups with special requests or events.
  • Greeted countless customers warmly upon arrival and departure, providing friendly, helpful presence throughout dining experience.

Student Services

Pike's Peak State College
08.2019 - 03.2020
  • Answered and resolved over 50 student inquiries, complaints, by telephone, in-person, and through email per day.
  • Assisted students in completing their onboarding, education-related forms for special scholarships, internships, class schedules, and clubs.
  • Supported efficient data entry of student information and maintained records.
  • Served diverse student needs by collaborating closely with academics, sales, support and other campus personnel as necessitated.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Animal Care And Behavior

Husson University
Bangor, ME
05.2001 -

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

University of Southern Mississippi - Gulf Park
Long Beach, MS
05.2023 - Current

Associate of Arts - Psychology

Pikes Peak State College
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2019 - 01.2021

Skills

Active Listening

Complaint Resolution

Creative Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Adaptable

Organization & Time Management

Empathy

Memorization & Recall Aptitude

Written & Oral Skills

Strategic Planning

Freelancing & Volunteering

Mississippi Aquarium - Birds & Ambassadors

- Assisted, shadowed Birds & Ambassadors staff at Mississippi Aquarium. Participated in the procurement and breakdown of food prep within commissary, cleaning, preparing exhibit spaces for daily operations, completing animal population counts, distributing feed, maintaining all appropriate sanitization protocols.


Mississippi Aquarium - Guest Experience & Education

-  Performed auxiliary duties of GE&E staff at Mississippi Aquarium, aiding in the setup and breakdown of exhibits, managing crowds, answering questions, and assisting in safety protocols.


Helotes Humane Society

-  Organized, over the course of a year, a facility among teams of 10+ to help assure proper quality and cleanliness for the enjoyment of patrons and animals. Additionally worked within an on-site thrift shop, greeting, aiding patrons and facing product.


South Alabama Wildlife Conservation

-  Completed a team-based conservation intensive designed to mark off and create numerous nesting sites for local, endangered coastal wildlife species, distributing informational packets about the initiative throughout.


SeaWorld Texas Externship

-  Completed 4-week externship program providing insight and overview of zoological careers, engaging with professionals within related field(s) and completing research project on one of several approved topics.

Timeline

Animal Care Specialist

Mississippi Aquarium
11.2024 - 04.2025

Guest Experience Specialist

Mississippi Aquarium
06.2023 - Current

Bachelor of Science - Psychology

University of Southern Mississippi - Gulf Park
05.2023 - Current

Hostess

P.F. Chang's Bistro
09.2021 - 10.2021

Associate of Arts - Psychology

Pikes Peak State College
08.2019 - 01.2021

Student Services

Pike's Peak State College
08.2019 - 03.2020

Bachelor of Science - Animal Care And Behavior

Husson University
05.2001 -
Lauren NewmanDetail-Oriented Professional With Expertise In Animal Science
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