A Day In the Life of a PETA Intern April 6, 2009

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We love to tell you about PETA's internship program, but what better way to see what interning at PETA is like than from an intern himself? Check out what Matt has to say, then be sure to go here to learn about the internship program.
-Marta

Hey Everyone! My name is Matt and I'm an intern here with PETA. About a month ago I flew from California to Virginia to start my internship, and since then I've experienced a bunch of unique and amazing things. As an intern, you receive many opportunities to travel, and within the first two weeks I was here, I was on my way to the nation's capitol to do my first demonstration.

I arrived in DC with Colleen, a PETA campaigner, and Indran, another intern. The three of us set out for the Canadian Embassy to create awareness about the barbaric seal massacre (which is unfortunately going on right now. Boo!) and to urge the Canadian government to stop sanctioning it. Armed with leaflets, posters, a bat (I'll explain), and a replica of a baby seal cub, we made our way to the sidewalk out front. Volunteers helped hold posters and hand out leaflets, while I waited for my big moment. About 30 minutes into the demonstration Colleen signaled for me to do my thing. Walking over to the baby seal replica, evil grin and all, I re-enacted what happens to hundreds of thousands of baby seals every year.

While I was bashing the baby seal in front of shocked onlookers, fake blood and paper mache blanketed the sidewalk in the wake of my violent portrayal—yeah, it was messy, but nothing compared to the real thing. In the midst of all the fake blood and shock, there were plenty of people who stopped to talk who had no idea what goes on—I really felt like we were giving a voice to all those cute, wide-eyed, baby seals who are mercilessly bludgeoned to death. Man, I'd step up for those little guys even if they weren't so dang cute, but they SO are.

After we got done thanking the volunteers, cleaning up the sidewalk, and gathering our materials, we went to a vegan bakery in the area called Sticky Fingers. I'd heard how great their food was from Colleen and a few other people from PETA and my stomach was growling by the time we arrived. Opportunities to eat at full-scale vegan bakeries don't happen very often for me, so I ordered about half the menu. My meal—more like feast!—consisted of a chili-cheese dog, a cinnamon bun, a brownie, and a breakfast bagel with egg, cheese, and bacon! I think I died a little inside with each bite, it was so dang delicious.

That reminds me—the vegan food we get at PETA every day is also pretty amazing. Our lunches so far have included: soy cheese pizza, bbq chickette sandwiches, tempeh BLT wraps, and many other mouth-watering vegan dishes! Come to think of it, I'm gonna go grab some vegan cookies from the kitchen!

Until next time,
Matt

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