C a r e e r D ay
CURIOSITY CREATOR Sari Custer inspires the spirit of discovery and wonder.
What type of training do you need to do your job? If you would have asked me many years ago I may have said, “There’s training for this?” But there are a few areas I have training in that make me successful at my job. First, I have a background in science, including a degree in biology, and a master of science in science education, and I spent some Sari Custer time working as a natural Profession: Chief of Science resources biologist. and Curiosity at Arizona I’ve also worked in jobs that Science Center focused on customer service, plus I have media and Age: 40 communications training. This means I have lots of What do you do for a practice talking to people, living? being on camera and I work for the Arizona Science behind the camera. All in all, Center as the Chief of Science I have six years of college and Curiosity, and I am the and 13-plus years of work public spokeswoman for the experience. Science Center. My job here The most important thing I is to provide leadership and have is a sense of curiosity direction for the coordination about the world! of science content across the Science Center’s departments What’s your favorite part to help inspire, educate, and of your job? I love science, and I love our engage more than 750,000 visitors. I love working with curious minds each year. the public, helping others I also host the video series, discover the unexpected “Sari on Science,” which fosthrills of learning about ters excitement about sciscience through the many ence for viewers of all ages, exhibits and activities offered with episodes on diverse at the Science Center. Some topics ranging from space days I get to (safely) throw exploration to DIY ice cream. fire from my hands or freeze things with liquid nitrogen in Basically, I get to have fun seconds; some days I get to with science! Sari helps to inspire, educate, and engage visitors at the Arizona Science Center
12 | JANUARY 2022 | EPIC KIDS
do color-changing chemistry or show people things they’ve never seen before, like pregnant shrimp, real fossils, or artifacts from over 2,000 years ago! What did you want to be when you were growing up? I had always loved science, especially geology, and I loved museums, but I didn’t know I could have a career in the museum field. I knew I wanted to be some type of scientist. When I was younger, I wanted to be an archaeologist, paleontologist, and marine biologist. Later, after meeting someone who worked with the Hubble Telescope, I became fascinated with physics and space and wanted to be an astrophysicist. After taking lots of science classes, I decided a degree in biology was right for me. I became a natural resources biologist, but missed interacting with people. So, I thought I wanted to become a classroom science teacher. I tried that––it wasn’t for me either. As you can see, I changed my mind a few times before landing in the career that was the right fit! What advice would you give to a kid who wants to have a similar career? Don’t be afraid to try out lots of things, ask questions,
shadow experts from lots of different science jobs... Say "yes" to a lot of opportunities––you never know where they might take you. And did I mention ask questions? To do what I do, you have to go to college, so study hard and stay in school, but you also have to be willing to keep learning daily. I have to stay up to date on current science topics as best as I can. For the on-camera portions of my job, it’s all about practice: talk to people, practice interviewing people, make notes and rehearse, but be ready to laugh at yourself when you mess up. It’s totally normal––I mess up all the time! Teach yourself how to recover and keep going.
Sari safely demonstrating throwing fire from her hand.
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