Zoo Summer Internships: A Wildly Rewarding Experience

For students seeking practical, real-world experience in animal care, conservation, education, and marketing, a zoo internship can be an invaluable stepping stone. These competitive internships offer the chance to work alongside animal care staff, marketing and design team members, educators, administrators, and other professionals, providing a holistic view of zoo operations. From assisting with animal husbandry to creating engaging social media content, interns play a vital role in supporting the zoo's mission.

Hands-on Experience at AZA-Accredited Facilities

Many zoos, such as the NEW Zoo, are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), signifying their commitment to the highest standards of animal care and conservation. Interning at an AZA-accredited facility provides a professional setting to gain practical, hands-on experiences. These internships can often be taken for academic credit, based on the guidelines of the intern's academic institution, although earning academic credit is not always required.

Diverse Internship Opportunities

Zoo internships encompass a wide range of disciplines, catering to diverse interests and skill sets. Here are some examples of internship opportunities available at the NEW Zoo and other institutions:

Animal Care and Zookeeping Internships

Animal care internships offer a unique opportunity to work directly with animals and experienced zookeepers. Interns are involved in various aspects of animal care, including:

Husbandry
Diet preparation and delivery
Ambassador animal handling
Behavioral enrichment preparation
Animal observations
Both formal and informal educational interactions with Zoo guests.

Zookeeping is a physically demanding profession, and interns are subjected to a variety of physical and environmental challenges. Candidates must have excellent communication and observation skills, and the ability to work in a team environment. They must also be reliable, trustworthy, and able to follow oral and written instructions.

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At the Chattanooga Zoo, animal care interns work side-by-side with a zookeeper, learning about daily husbandry, training, medical care, and maintenance of animals and their habitats.

Education Internships

Education internships provide hands-on experience in developing and delivering educational programs to diverse audiences. Interns assist with formal and informal public programs, educational experiences, and parties. They learn how to care for and handle ambassador animals such as small mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and arthropods.

Interns also gain hands-on experience assisting with, and leading, various educational experiences around the zoo, such as giraffe and Children’s Zoo feeding experiences, birthday parties, zoo camps, classes, scout programs, animal encounters, and offsite Zoomobile programs.

Candidates must have excellent communication skills, enjoy working with people of all ages, and be able to work in a team environment. They must be self-motivated, reliable, prompt, and able to work in all weather conditions.

Marketing and Communications Internships

Marketing and communications internships offer the chance to develop and implement marketing strategies to promote the zoo and its mission. Interns may assist with:

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Creating print and digital media designs in line with brand standards
Expanding the facility's photography and videography library
Managing and creating content for the zoo’s social media platforms
Designing and scheduling social media campaigns across multiple platforms
Brainstorming and researching ideas for original content
Helping create and edit short-form videos

Candidates should have excellent written and oral communication skills, be organized self-starters with attention to detail, and have experience with Adobe Creative Suite programs. Understanding of design layout and color theory principles and experience with Canva are recommended.

Registrar Internships

Registrar internships provide experience in managing and maintaining animal records, which is crucial for AZA accreditation and animal welfare. At the NEW Zoo, the registrar intern works closely with the Curator of Animals to complete tasks related to documentation of animal husbandry, health, and welfare.

Interns learn to maintain animal records, and other aspects of the registrar’s role at an AZA-accredited institution, including learning about Species Survival Plans (SSPs), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) permitting, AZA standards, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements.

Candidates should have excellent written and oral communication skills, be organized self-starters with attention to detail, be able to work in a team environment, able to multi-task, and must be prompt and reliable.

Veterinary Technician Internships

For those interested in animal health, veterinary technician internships offer valuable experience in assisting veterinary staff with the daily veterinary observations, care, and record-keeping of animal residents. Interns may also observe annual animal check-ups.

Research Internships

Some zoos, like the Indianapolis Zoo, offer research internships focused on specific animal behaviors. For example, the Chimpanzee Behavior Research Internship provides an opportunity to study and document the behaviors of chimpanzees in a zoo environment.

Benefits of Zoo Internships

Zoo internships provide numerous benefits for students pursuing careers in animal care, conservation, education, and related fields. These include:

Practical, hands-on experience: Interns gain valuable skills and knowledge through direct involvement in zoo operations.
Networking opportunities: Interns work alongside experienced professionals, building valuable connections in the field.
Career development: Internships can help students clarify their career goals and gain a competitive edge in the job market.
Contribution to conservation: Interns play a role in supporting the zoo's mission of animal care, conservation, and education.
Personal growth: Internships can foster personal growth, independence, and a sense of responsibility.

ZooTampa offers a range of benefits to its employees, including interns, such as:

ZooTampa Membership
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
403(b) Retirement with Match
Telemedicine
Flexible Savings Account
Performance Awards
Service Recognition Awards
Discounts on auto insurance, pet insurance, and other services
Access to free and/or discounted tickets to other attractions
Merchandise and food & beverage discounts
Access to Employee Assistance Program
Gold’s Gym Membership

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility requirements for zoo internships vary depending on the institution and the specific internship. However, some common requirements include:

Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program
A minimum GPA
Relevant coursework or experience
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
A strong interest in animal care, conservation, or education

The application process typically involves submitting a resume, cover letter, and transcripts. Some zoos may also require letters of recommendation or a personal interview.

The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park takes into account the start dates of local technical schools and universities when determining the exact start and end dates for each semester. Candidates must be able to attend all dates of training in order to join a semester’s internship class.

The Chattanooga Zoo’s internships are offered every spring, summer, and fall semesters. Spring and fall semesters require 24 service hours (3 days) a week for 15 weeks, while the summer semester requires 24 service hours (3 days) a week for 14 weeks. Applicants must currently be attending undergraduate school, have earned enough college credits to be considered a sophomore, and be receiving financial aid tuition assistance.

At the Indianapolis Zoo, summer internships last for 12 weeks, from mid-May to mid-August. Interns are scheduled to work 30-40 hours per week and complete a project in support of the zoo's mission.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers college internships during the fall semester. The summer application deadline is February 15, and the next application window opens May 1.

Making the Most of Your Zoo Internship

To maximize the benefits of a zoo internship, it is important to:

Be proactive: Take initiative and seek out opportunities to learn and contribute.
Ask questions: Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek guidance from mentors and supervisors.
Be a team player: Work collaboratively with other interns and staff members.
Be reliable and responsible: Fulfill your responsibilities and meet deadlines.
Be enthusiastic and passionate: Show your enthusiasm for animal care, conservation, and education.
Network: Attend zoo events and conferences to meet other professionals in the field.
Document your experiences: Keep a journal or portfolio of your accomplishments and learning experiences.

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