skip to main content
Denise Verret
Denise Verret
00:57

Denise Verret

Los Angeles Zoo

Los Angeles, CA USA

"Things will come to you even when you're not really seeking them out; you'll know it when it's right."

Career Roadmap

Denise's work combines: Environment & Nature, Government, and Problem Solving

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Assistant Director

I help manage daily operations at the zoo and botanical gardens, including managing animals and interpretive programs.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Business Administration and Management, General

    University of California-Riverside

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Says "if somebody would've told me 20 years ago, 'you're gonna work at a zoo,' I would've thought they were out of their mind."

  • 2.

    Worked as an intern for the City of Los Angeles straight out of college.

  • 3.

    Wanted to learn about city government, found her work interesting, stayed on when offered a permanent job.

  • 4.

    She eventually worked her way up to managing the Parks and Recreation budget, which included the Los Angeles Zoo.

  • 5.

    When opportunity to become assistant director of the Zoo opened up, she decided to compete in the nationwide job hunt.

  • 6.

    When she got the job, says she felt like she'd just won the Super Bowl: "I'm going to...that place in Orange County!"

  • 7.

    Loves working at the Zoo because she feels like she's truly giving back; been there nine years, her kids think she has the coolest job.

  • 8.

    Says don't worry about your career choice disappointing your parents: "there are 5,000 other things you could be doing that are the epitome of disappointment."