Jalen Smith
About Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith is a Horticultural Intern at Marsh Botanical Garden and an Apprentice Urban Forester at Yale School of the Environment. He has a background in political science and film, along with experience in various roles related to mental health, wildlife filmmaking, and community service.
Work at Yale University
Jalen Smith is currently engaged in multiple roles at Yale University. He serves as a Horticultural Intern at Marsh Botanical Garden, a position he has held since 2024. Additionally, he works as an Apprentice Urban Forester at the Yale School of the Environment, also starting in 2024. His previous experience at Yale includes roles as a Spring Salvage Assistant, Transfer Peer Advisor, and Prefrosh Advisor in 2023. He also contributes as a Videographer for Handsome Dan, a role he began in 2024.
Education and Expertise
Jalen Smith studied at Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Film from 2022 to 2024. Prior to that, he attended Pasadena City College, obtaining an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Political Science and Mathematics from 2020 to 2022. His educational background supports his interests in urban forestry and visual storytelling.
Background in Film and Cinematography
Jalen Smith has a strong passion for visual storytelling, particularly through documentary, wildlife, and underwater film and cinematography. He gained practical experience as a Wildlife Filmmaking Intern at Africa Media in 2023. His aspirations include living a nomadic lifestyle while capturing the natural world through film.
Previous Work Experience
Jalen Smith has held various positions prior to his current roles at Yale University. He worked for Children's Hospital Los Angeles in the Division of Adolescent Medicine for 11 months from 2019 to 2020. Other notable experiences include serving as a Youth Fellow at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health in 2021, and interning at the United States Senate Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla from 2021 to 2022.
Community Engagement and Interests
Jalen Smith is actively involved in community urban forestry activities. He has also served as a Student Board Member for the City of Los Angeles from 2019 to 2021. In addition to his professional pursuits, he enjoys skateboarding and writing, with a particular interest in sharing animal and ocean fun facts.