Major: Biochemistry
Graduated: 2023
Recent graduate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (May 2023) Jackson “Jack” Mahoney started his dream job in December 2023 working for Joel Sartore, who is also a Nebraska graduate (1985), photographer, conservationist, and contributor to "National Geographic" magazine. Mahoney, who has been a lifelong fan of Sartore, grew up in Lincoln and saw his photographs at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. At age 11, Mahoney received his first camera and, influenced by Sartore, started taking photos of animals.
“Sartore was one of my favorite photographers, and he’s been an influence on my life since before I knew he was from Lincoln,” Mahoney said.
Mahoney joined Sartore’s team to process images that the photographer takes for social media, his website, and the Photo Ark, a more than 25-year project to document approximately 25,000 species living in captivity.
Mahoney, who graduated with a biochemistry degree, credits his background in science and his work at the University Libraries as experiences that gave him an advantage in attaining the job with Sartore. Zach Eden, in Reserves/ILL Borrowing and one of Mahoney’s former supervisors, agreed to be interviewed by Sartore’s staff as a job reference for Mahoney.
“The first time I met Jack at the Music Library, he was wearing an orange jack-o’-lantern T-shirt [a play of words on his name], and I asked if it was intentional. The rest is history!” Eden explained. “I’m not surprised in the least that he’s working with Joel Sartore, and I’m grateful to have worked with him in the Libraries and continue to keep in touch about good movies and good food.”
Mahoney was initially hired by Gama Viesca in the summer of 2020 to work in the Music and Architecture Libraries, where he worked until his graduation. He remembers helping Eden find movies for classes and working with students who came into the libraries needing help finding materials.
“I think having that experience working with the catalog and keyword searching was more important than any other experience in helping me get this job,” said Mahoney, referring to being Sartore’s assistant.
As part of Sartore’s team, Mahoney also gets to fulfill another dream of his—“to marry the creative arts with my scientific interests.”
“Joel is probably the most famous animal photographer in the world, and I’ve already learned so much from him,” said Mahoney.
