My name's Mark Porter. I've been interested in the natural world since I was very young. I used to keep insects, and I spent a lot of time drawing them. After I finished school, I went to work in a pet shop - that was great fun, but I knew I had to go to college if I wanted a better job. So I went to university to study Biology and then got a job in Florida working at a sea-life centre, looking after the dolphins.
While I was working there, I saw an advertisement for my current job - a keeper for the fish department at a zoo in California - and applied. Although it was for the same money, I was pleased when they immediately offered me the job because there are lots of different activities I'm involved in here. As part of my job, I get to do research, and I manage an education centre where I tell people of all ages about what they can do to protect fish and animals.
People think that my job is exciting because I go diving as part of my research work on sharks. However, I work long hours, and I worry if I have to call a medical specialist to come and look after a sick fish. Conditions at work can be uncomfortable too, as a lot of the fish I look after bite, so I have to be careful. Then there are the visitors. Some are OK, but some try to touch the fish or put sweet wrappers in the water - that makes me angry. However, my job is very rewarding, and I hope that you'll think about working with animals, too.