320×48

Text PETA2 to 73822 to receive our mobile alerts! MSG & data rates apply

A Day In the Life of a PETA Intern

Posted on April 6, 2009 at 1:35 pm | Permalink | Comments (12)

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

Ray
Ray

|

Comments (12) to “A Day In the Life of a PETA Intern”

Post a Comment

Connect with Facebook

Post as...
  1. dia says:

    i really want to intern. like, really bad.

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  2. zoey says:

    Haha, I really wish I could intern at peta, but..
    1. I'm only fifthteen
    And
    2. I'm here in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
    I'm a canadian vegan, and proud! :)

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  3. Danny Almonte says:

    Sved.

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  4. Jasmine Soto says:

    I want to be an intern too!It sounds awesome!

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  5. calvin says:

    That sounds really cool. I've been thinking of becoming an intern and this really motivated me to try and take the next step. Great post man!

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  6. Nione says:

    omg, I'd want to intern just for the food. I've never gotten to try real vegan cuisine. Just the stuff that you find at walmart that just happens to be vegan.

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  7. Betsy Shiner says:

    Aww, Matt congrats on the internship :) I'm proud of you and PETA making a difference.
    If you come home for part of the summer- we should have Bonnie make us some vegan chicken parm!

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  8. Tanner says:

    CANADIAN SEAL SLAUGHTER SUCKS.
    IT MAKES ME SAD.
    I LOVE YOU GUYS @ Peta!!!
    Love,
    Tanner another canadian vegan =)

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  9. Annie Leal says:

    That is so awesome!! Now I can't wait to go on winter to intern with PETA!! Thanks for writing about this :)

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  10. ingrid james says:

    sure wish i could, but unfortunately have to work to put
    my delicious veggie food on the table . i help in any
    other way i can and am proud and happy to do so.
    keep up the awesome good work

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  11. Kryssy says:

    I would live to but i am only twelve and i think thats illegal! : (

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)
  12. Brittany says:

    I interned at PETA for six months. It was really fun and I learned a lot. Those of you who are eligible and interested, go for it! :)

    VA:F [1.9.8_1114]
    Like (0 votes)