Summer Internships in Pittsburgh: A Comprehensive Guide
Pittsburgh, a city known for its innovation and growth, offers a wealth of summer internship opportunities for students and young adults. These internships span various fields, providing valuable experiences and career development prospects. This guide explores the diverse range of summer internships available in Pittsburgh, from governmental departments to zoological institutions, helping you find the perfect fit for your interests and career goals.
Allegheny County Internships
Allegheny County provides numerous internship opportunities across its various departments, offering students a chance to contribute to local government and gain practical experience.
Allegheny County Executive Office
The Allegheny County Executive Office seeks creative, hardworking, skilled, and highly collaborative graduate and undergraduate students for internships. These internships offer exposure to the inner workings of county government and provide opportunities to contribute to important projects.
Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD)
The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) provides learning opportunities for students enrolled in a variety of academic programs. The Health Department also provides clinical learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate nursing students. This is an excellent option for those pursuing careers in healthcare and public health.
National Health Corps (NHC) Pittsburgh
The National Health Corps (NHC) Pittsburgh, a program of the National Health Corps AmeriCorps program, is committed to decreasing disparities in local healthcare delivery systems and promoting health. NHC Pittsburgh collaborates with a broad range of sites to ensure members are exposed to diverse opportunities in public health. This program offers a unique chance to engage in community health initiatives and make a tangible difference in the lives of Pittsburgh residents.
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Department of Human Services (DHS)
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is currently hiring interns for summer and school-year internships in several offices. Internships are generally available on a semester basis (spring, fall, and summer) but can be tailored to fit each individual's needs. This flexibility makes it easier for students to balance their academic commitments with their internship responsibilities.
Medical Examiner’s Office
- Medical Student Rotation: Designed for medical students interested in pursuing a career in the field of forensic pathology.
- Forensic Internship: Intended for college students and graduates interested in pursuing a career in a Forensic Laboratory or within Medicolegal Death Investigations.
These internships provide hands-on experience in forensic science and are ideal for students considering a career in this field.
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works is looking for an intern enrolled in an engineering program at an accredited university and in good academic standing to support the department’s Bridge, Roads and Construction Divisions. This internship offers practical experience in civil engineering and infrastructure development.
Department of Sustainability
The Department of Sustainability hires self-motivated students interested in professional experiences in environmental sustainability within local government each year. This is a great opportunity for students passionate about environmental issues and sustainable practices.
Learn and Earn
Learn and Earn is a six-week summer employment program for teens and young adults ages 14-21 in Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh region. Participants have the opportunity to earn money, gain valuable work experience, and develop soft skills to help them prepare for college and professional life. This program is made possible through a partnership between Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and Partner4Work with support from local foundations. It’s an excellent way for young individuals to gain early exposure to the workforce and develop essential life skills.
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I&I Initiative
The I&I Initiative employs students enrolled in higher education programs to support various projects and activities. It strives to build a Human Services network that better meets the needs of immigrants in Allegheny County. This initiative provides a unique opportunity to work with diverse communities and contribute to social equity.
University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) Internships
The University of Pittsburgh offers a wide array of internship opportunities to its students, both locally and internationally.
Accessibility and Benefits
Accessibility to a variety of internship opportunities is one of the many benefits available to Pitt students. By completing an internship or participating in our Internship Prep Program (previously Guaranteed Internship program), students can graduate with experience in the field of their choosing. Internships are available to students in all majors and are offered for monetary value or elective credits.
Networking and Career Development
Internships are a fantastic way to begin building your professional network. Interning can connect you with industry professionals on a personal level. Graduating with prior experience through an internship can set you up for long-term success. On average, Pitt students complete 2-3 internships throughout their college career.
International Internships
Pitt Global Experiences Office offers an International Internship Program where students can gain professional experience and travel to exciting new places! This program allows students to broaden their horizons and gain a global perspective while advancing their careers.
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Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Internships
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium provides a range of internships for students interested in zoology, conservation, and related fields. These internships offer hands-on experience and the chance to work with a diverse collection of animals.
General Overview
Gain a practical hands-on introduction to a modern zoological park with a Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium internship. Interns assist the Zoo’s professional staff in working toward our mission of connecting people to wildlife and inspiring communities to conserve nature for future generations.
Public Relations, Digital Media, and Communications Internship
This position will assist and learn about public relations, digital media, and communications with the goal of producing material that is relevant, educational, engaging, and accessible. This internship is perfect for students interested in marketing, media, and communications.
Development Intern
The Development Intern will support administrative functions related to the Zoo’s Development work and will assist the fundraising team. This role provides valuable experience in non-profit fundraising and development.
Special Events Intern
This position assists with the development, management, and execution a variety of special events that welcome a wide range of audiences to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium throughout the year. This role includes event setup and execution, administrative tasks, and client relations. Applicants must be available every weekend in addition to 1-3 days each week. Required skills include strong work ethic, excellent communication, conflict resolution, teamwork, and initiative. A high school diploma is required; pursuing Business or Liberal Arts degree in hospitality, hotel, event planning, restaurant management or a related field is preferred. Other preferred skills and interests are event management, meeting planning experience, sales skills, attention to detail, and flexibility. Exposure to seasonal outdoor temperatures and occasional lifting up to 30 lbs. may occur. This internship is ideal for students interested in event planning and hospitality.
Membership Intern
The Membership Intern will support administrative functions related to the Zoo’s Development and Membership work.
Animal Care Internships
- Animal Ambassador Intern: Animal Ambassador Interns will have the opportunity to work hands-on with the Conservation Education department’s animal care team as we maintain the zoo’s collection of over 50 animal ambassadors that participate in programs for public education. Intern responsibilities include observation, feeding, cleaning, record keeping, and animal handling/presentations. In addition, Interns will have lessons on public speaking/presentation, lesson development, animal training and enrichment, zoo careers, and guest service. Please submit a resumé, cover letter, and letter of recommendation.
- Mammal Interns (Islands Area): The Mammal interns at the Islands area of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium will have an opportunity to work with some unique endangered species, such as clouded leopards, Visayan warty pigs, and siamangs. This internship is a 12-week, two-day-a-week course.
- Kids Kingdom Animal Husbandry Internship: The Kids Kingdom Animal Husbandry Internship is designed for individuals interested in a career in animal husbandry and training to gain valuable experience. Interns will primarily be trained in the aspects of animal husbandry, with a strong emphasis on training and enrichment. The goal of this internship is to give interns a solid base of animal husbandry knowledge with a wide variety of animals including mammals and birds.
- Registrar Intern: The Registrar Intern will support the functions of the Zoo Registrar. They will have the opportunity to work hands-on with the Registrar in maintaining over 100,000 animal records. The intern will learn about animal permits, records, transactions, and transports. They will learn the animal records keeping software programs used at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and will learn how to code animal data into those programs.
- Water’s Edge Interns: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Water’s Edge interns will have the opportunity to take part in all aspects of daily husbandry of the 4 species in our AMMPA accredited marine mammal facility. This internship is progressive and is 13 weeks in length. Due to the nature of a progressive internship, a commitment of 13 weeks is required. Intern responsibilities will encompass the skills needed to provide exceptional care for marine mammals. These skills will include morning diet preparation, kitchen/facility cleaning exceeding USDA standards, daily guest interactions, assisting with life support systems, managing daily enrichment schedules, creating novel enrichment, and assisting with animal training projects alongside of keepers. Prospective interns who possess an Open Water Scuba Diver Certification from an accredited dive association (e.g. PADI, NAUI, SSI) also have the opportunity to apply for our Volunteer Dive Program.
These animal care internships offer invaluable experience for those passionate about working with animals and pursuing careers in zoology and conservation.
International Conservation Center
The International Conservation Center is located an hour and a half southeast of Pittsburgh in Fairhope, PA. You may apply for multiple internships using a single application.
Other Internship Programs
Besides the specific opportunities listed above, several other programs offer internships in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program encourages undergraduate students and recent graduates to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research experiences at the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories. This program is an excellent option for students interested in scientific research and development.
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Internship Program
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Internship Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. This program offers a pathway to federal employment and provides valuable experience in government service.
The Fund for American Studies (TFAS)
The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) hosts Washington, DC-based and virtual Academic Internship Programs for undergraduate students each summer, fall and spring. Programs include academic credit from George Mason University, an internship placement, and furnished housing in the heart of Washington, D.C.
The Washington Center
The Washington Center is the bridge between higher education and professional careers-leveraging all of what Washington, D.C.
Fred Hutch
The mission of Fred Hutch is the elimination of cancer and related diseases as causes of human suffering and death.
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