An interview with Robert Romanowski

How long have you worked at the Shedd Aquarium?

I have worked at the Shedd Aquarium since December of 2000. However, I began my career at Shedd as an interpretation volunteer in January of 2000 and slowly worked my way up.

What do you do all day at work?

A large part of my current responsibilities include developing fun, engaging educational programs for all of our guests, including school groups. Most of these programs take place in our exhibit spaces. The goal behind these programs is to connect our guests with our animals and their habitats. Another part of my daily responsibilities is to facilitate joint programming with other divisions in the education department. For example, this would allow students to take a class on sharks and then expand upon their newly acquired knowledge by participating in our Making Sense of Sharks program in the aquarium's exhibits. By the end of this, students would become shark experts!!!

Where did you grow up?

I grew up on the Southwest side of Chicago and have lived here ever since.

What is your favorite rainforest animal? Why?

My favorite rainforest animal would have to be the very elusive pink river dolphin. During my expedition to the Amazon in 2003, my team actually spotted a couple of these dolphins surfacing for air in a flood plain lake at the break of dawn. They were so beautiful!!!! The warm orange glow from the rising sun reflected beautifully off their pink bodies.

Why do you like working at the Shedd?

The thing I like best about working at the Shedd is our guests. Every year, guests from all around Chicago, all around our country, and all around the world walk through our doors. Each guest offers a unique opportunity to teach something fun to someone everyday. The opportunity to open up their minds and ignite that sparkle in their eyes when they learn something new is something I enjoy most about being an educator.

What inspired you to become involved in the rainforest?

The rainforest has always fascinated me, even before I started working at Shedd. I have always been interested in the connections between the people, plants and animals of the rainforest. Everything is dependent on one another for survival. I have a background in horticulture so the diversity of plants in the rainforest has also piqued my interest.

What did you want to be when you were little?

When I was little I could remember wanting to be a pitcher for the Chicago Whitesox. I have always wanted to play on the emerald green grass. I was fascinated by how well maintained the playing field was. I guess you could say I became interested in horticulture and plants at a very young age.

What is the coolest fact you know about the rainforest?

The coolest thing about the rainforest is that there is life everywhere! From the smallest puddle to the largest leaf, rainforest organisms make their homes in the weirdest places. Did you know that a whole community of algae, moths and beetles make their home in the sloth's fur?

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time I love to cook, especially Mexican, South American and Cuban foods. I also love to ride my bike along the lake in the summertime.

What is the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is getting the opportunity to teach something to someone everyday. What other job can someone say they look for every possible excuse to talk about the animals?

What classes in college did you take to prepare yourself for your job?

I have taken many science classes, including plant biology, chemistry, and plant identification. I also took classes such as accounting and history, classes that didn't necessarily relate to what I wanted to do later in life. This is important in becoming a well rounded person. Each person at Shedd has something different and unique to offer. That's what makes Shedd Aquarium a great place to work and learn!