Shawn Sweeney
As a twenty-something in today’s world, it is really easy to find a number of academic areas in which to pursue a graduate degree. The hard part is settling on any one of them. Having been acutely described by one undergrad professor as a Sparrow -- not for being gifted with my voice -- but because of my figurative attraction to shiny objects, for the last several years I’ve really struggled with discerning where my interests would lead me when it came to pursuing a graduate degree.
As the son of a biology teacher, and a nurse, I’ve always had an attraction to the natural world, and the way that it works. When I was 10 I was introduced for the first time to the devastating effects that we as human beings can have on this world at a lecture about the massacre of Mountain Gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Eastern Africa. From then on I was fascinated by and passionate for the conservation of wildlife. This led me to my undergraduate studies at the College of Wooster, where I spent time studying animal behavior with Black Capped Capuchin monkeys, rodents, and later in zoos with many other animals. Though watching these animals and all their great behaviors was fun for me, at the end of the day, I didn’t feel what I was contributing was accomplishing what I wanted it to. I needed to do more. I also spent time conducting research in zoos, such as Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Bronx Zoo and Zoo Atlanta, looking at how visitors perceive animals, and engaging in wildlife conservation. With this research, too, though I treasure the experience and all the people I worked with, the fit wasn't exactly right. Though those experiences certainly helped lead me where I've come today.
After meeting Dr. Jane Goodall and participating in her Roots & Shoots program for nearly five years I began to learn how I could still do things that benefited the animals that I so love, but satisfied this urge I had to do more. I found that instead of working with animals, I was working for animals. Through Roots & Shoots we did service projects that we designed for our community, for animals and for the environment. These projects were so important and life-changing for me. I learned that I can have an impact on issues, and that everything I do really matters. It was at this point that I began my path toward living a life that was more consistent with my values, and spending my days doing things that really mattered to me. I’ve stayed involved with Roots & Shoots since then, and am now proud that I can be a full-time member of the USA staff.
It is through my involvement with Roots & Shoots that I was introduced to Humane Education and the Institute for Humane Education. A very good friend and colleague, Jeannie Dewan, gave a presentation on Humane Education and the programs that IHE offers at our 2007 University Summit. After that presentation, I really pondered, “I can get a degree in this?” I wasn’t sure at first whether this was going to be the right fit for me, but I kept it in the back of my head as a possibility. Later Jeannie invited me to attend an IHE Sowing Seeds teacher training workshop at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York. This experience sold me. I saw how I could use all of the knowledge that I had about animals to inspire others to be just as passionate about saving them as I was. I could learn how to have meaningful conversations that really challenged people to think, and hopefully help open their minds to the idea that they, too, can have an impact, and play a role in alleviating our world of the many challenges it faces.
I entered the Master of Education in Humane Education program in 2008 and am on par to graduate in 2010. I’ve completed my introductory courses and am currently completing my studies in Animal Protection. When I entered this program I thought that I was bringing an already immense knowledge on the issues we would cover. Today, I am very humbled by this thought, because what I thought I knew was miniscule to all that I have come to learn. I am excited to progress through this program, and continue building on my knowledge base for becoming an effective and inspiring Humane Educator. I have found a program suits my personality, my learning style, and my values. There’s something there I think.
September 25, 2010 - 9:00 am | Location: Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary
Live your values. Change the world. Choose MOGO! Let your life reflect what truly matters to you. Discover ways to choose MOGO (most good), act on what's most important to you, and build a better world. Our life-transforming MOGO workshop offers you: Dynamic ...
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