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Interpret the Interpreter: Brian Cain

When I was young, family and friends would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would reply, matter of factly, “A brontosaurus.” Unfortunately the job market for brontosauruses isn’t much these days, so I eventually had to consider other options. With no less than six different majors during my four years at the University of North Carolina – Asheville, I only gradually realized that zoo interpretation was the place for me. The steps that brought me to this field were all supposed to be just unique footnotes to my real career path, yet somehow they grew into the career itself.

As a sophomore in college, I took a semester to work as a Jungle Cruise Skipper at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. While the animals were fake, the people were real. Taking boatloads of guests through the jungle and cracking every animal joke in the book, it was literally “sink or swim” as a public speaker. Love of the spotlight – check.

Then after my junior year, I interned at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago under the Director of the Children’s Zoo and Farm-in-the-Zoo. While intended to be just a unique internship, working in the “zoo world” quickly turned into a true life passion. By the time I left the Windy City, there was no turning back.Love for nature and appreciation of conservation – check.

The next logical step was to combine these new passions. After graduating with a degree in “Production Design for Creative Environments,” I interned as an Education Presenter at a little tourist stop called Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Seven months of on-stage experience in one of the largest and most dynamic zoological parks trained me in the tools of interpretation. I was now ready to strikeout on my own as a professional interpreter!

Leaving Orlando, I moved on to Zoo Atlanta where I now supervise the Exhibit Interpreter team and Docent Program. Our on-grounds interpretation program reaches thousands of visitors each year – forging the human-animal bond and creating awareness for conservation action. While I didn’t achieve my dream of becoming a brontosaurus, I certainly found something just as fun! Something my family and friends still can’t believe is a real paying job!As someone relatively new to the profession, it is always great to meet fellow interpretation enthusiasts. If I did not have a chance to meet you at the 2005 NIW or if you happen to be in the Atlanta area, don’t hesitate to drop me a line to talk shop!

Brian may be reached at bcain@zooatlanta.org.