By Sydney Bachovin
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD — Nineteen-year-old Henry Callahan transferred to Camden County College for the 2026 spring semester in January. He originally studied at Rutgers University in New Brunswick but found it hard to get a job, stay close to family and pursue his hobby of birdwatching and passion for conservation. Despite being here only a short time, he’s found CCC to be an intimate learning experience that allows him to make money, stay close to family and enjoy his pursuits.
School
Starting at Rutgers-New Brunswick, Callahan was an entomology major, otherwise known as the study of insects. While enjoying being an entomology student, he decided to move back home during his winter break, stating that New Brunswick just wasn’t affordable and that he wished to be back home because of a family member’s declining health. The stress of these things weighed on him, making it difficult to focus on the things that make him happy.
Once transferring to CCC, Callahan declared he was undecided on his major. He decided to take the semester for all of his prerequisites and to figure out what he wanted to do. During this semester, he found that CCC was a much more intimate campus, allowing for more one-on-one learning and more targeted career advice. Callahan said, “At Rutgers, y’know, it’s these big lecture halls with maybe 100 students and it’s like I feel a little bit alienated.” He also enjoys the college and transfer fairs at CCC, stating it gives him more options to look at.
Work
Outside of school, Callahan works as a patient transporter at Jefferson Hospital in Washington Township. He explains patient transport as taking patients from room to room, taking patients to testing rooms, as well as bringing bodies to the hospital morgue. He said he finds it very rewarding to work with patients and hear their stories.
Nature
Also outside of school, Callahan has visited two national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone. He didn’t visit as a tourist, however. He visited to perform trail rehabilitation. Callahan states he restored many of the park’s hiking trails, built a lot of bridges and laid down buck and rail to prevent trespassing. After this trip to both parks, Callahan said, “I learned more about how I love conservation and the natural world.” Even his friends can attest to his love for the natural world. Nineteen-year-old Nahmir Matthews stated, “He really likes Earth, y’know? He likes nature, bugs and birds.” Matthews also stated that whenever he has a question about a certain animal, Callahan is always there to answer it.
On the topic of the natural world, Callahan stated that in his childhood he didn’t have many friends, often finding himself reading or watching National Geographic. From the start, he said he was hooked. Callahan said he was fascinated and wanted to protect this natural world he saw and he said, “It was a friend to me.” With this love for the natural world, Callahan has taken up birdwatching as of his transfer to Camden County College. He stated that he finds it calming to watch and identify the many birds that fly through New Jersey.