10 Zoology Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high schooler interested in the field of zoology, animal sciences, environmental conservation, or simply curious about wildlife, a zoology internship can be a great way to spend your summer break. Internships can bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, providing an opportunity for you to explore potential career paths, gain valuable real-world work experience, and build a lasting professional network.
Not to mention, with a zoology internship, you will have the chance to actively contribute to the well-being of animals and ecosystems, fostering a sense of responsibility for environmental stewardship.
When it comes to college applications, an internship experience on your profile can help you stand out. Admissions officers seek applicants who demonstrate drive and passion for their chosen field - and internships are a great way to do that! To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 10 best zoology internships for high school students.
1. Internships at the National Zoo by the Smithsonian Office of Internships
Location: Washington, D.C., with some virtual or hybrid options.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: This information will be announced soon. Check their website for updates!
Program Dates: Varies (typically 8-12 weeks)
Stipend: All interns will be paid a stipend; the amount may vary.
The Smithsonian Office of Internships offers a variety of internship opportunities at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the Conservation Biology Center in Virginia, and in Hawaii. These opportunities include animal-care programs and research programs; they range from animal care, nutrition, and conservation to veterinary medicine, IT, and GIS One Health. The National Zoo is committed to its mission of animal conservation and public education; as an intern, you will contribute to this mission and gain practical, hands-on experience in working with various species. Some virtual options are available too!
New internship openings are continuously updated on the zoo website. Current openings include Residency in Zoological Medicine, Veterinary Preceptorship, and Internship in Wildlife Endocrinology.
2. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Based on your locality (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of your home)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old, and who live and have residency in the United States, Mexico, and Canada are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: January 16, 2024
Program Dates: June - July (8 weeks in the summer).
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded, and a stipend of $3,000 is provided to interns. Interns also get a fully-funded trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit at the University of Arkansas.
Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a selective, prestigious 8-week paid summer internship and mentoring program. The program aims to stimulate interest in fisheries and aquatic science among students, especially among underrepresented groups in the profession. As one of the approximately 27 Hutton Scholars, you will be paired with and mentored by a fisheries professional in your area. Depending on your location, you may work outdoors in the field, on a boat, in a laboratory, and in an office. Perks include a stipend of $3000 and an all-expense paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit conducted at the University of Arkansas!
You will gain hands-on fisheries science experience in marine or freshwater, conducting laboratory and field research while engaging in resource conservation and management projects. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about possible career opportunities as well. Some possible activities include electrofishing, examining specimens, data processing, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitats, and more!
Internship dates are flexible and will be determined between you and your mentor. Applications for the 2024 cohort are closed; you can check their website in November for details about the 2025 season.
3. Junior Internship Position at the North Carolina Zoo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Location: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors between 16 and 18 can apply. Look through the internship requirements for further details.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2024
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer (mid-June to July). Interns are expected to work two 6-hour shifts per week, plus attend 2-hour training sessions every week.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; this is an unpaid opportunity.
Wildlife rehabilitation involves care of sick, injured, and/or orphaned native wildlife so they return to the wild in a condition that will optimize their chances of survival. This internship will allow you to participate in hands-on rehabilitation training, research projects, tours, training, maintenance, and animal rescues. As an intern, you will assist with the routine daily care of wildlife patients and resident animals alongside other duties such as husbandry and feeding, admitting patients, answering phones, and record keeping. You will also get the opportunity to assist with medical tasks, as guided by the Veterinary staff, such as administering treatments, helping with radiographs & assisting with surgeries.
Follow the instructions given on the website to apply for this position. You can email your application packet to the provided email address or mail it to the zoo’s address.
Note: There are 4 junior internship positions available.
4. The Malott Family Lincoln Park Zoo Internship Program
Location: The Malott Family Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
Eligibility: High school students residing in Chicago and entering grades 10-12, between 15-18 years old, can apply.
Application Deadline: March 11, 2024
Program Dates: June 24, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a stipend will be provided.
The Malott Family Zoo Internship Program provides Chicago high school students with the opportunity to work in the Lincoln Park Zoo while actively educating others about animal and conservation science. As an intern in this seven-week-long paid program, you will learn informal education techniques, consider how to communicate conservation messages to zoo guests, and craft a culminating project. You will also work with researchers and Animal Care staff to learn more about potential careers in the animal science and conservation fields. You can apply by filling out this application form!
Note: You will need to be present on June 8 for orientation.
5. Teen Council for Conservation at LA Zoo
Location: LA Zoo, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: High school students residing in LA between the ages of 14-18 can apply
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2024 cohort are closed. Check their website for around July 2024 for details about the 2025 cohort.
Program Dates: October 2023 - June 2024 (2024 cohort)
Stipend: $300 per month.
Teen Council for Conservation is a nine-month program that gives LA high school students a chance to delve into conservation, environmental justice, and climate action. Representing each City Council District, a maximum of 30 members engage in a blend of virtual and in-person meetings as well as planned activities and events to work towards a future centered on conservation solutions in the city of Los Angeles. As a part of this council, you will drive the focus in meetings and receive an educational stipend of $300 every month. This is a unique opportunity for you to grow as a leader, learn about critical environmental issues, take steps toward a sustainable future, and make a tangible impact in your community.
The 2024 cohort is currently underway, and details about the 2025 application process will be posted on their website.
6. Zoo Keeping High School Internship Program at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Eligibility: High school seniors are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Rolling applications throughout the year. It is recommended that you submit your application at least three months in advance of your anticipated start date.
Program Dates: Zoo Keeping positions are open throughout the year. Check their website for the available opportunities.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; this is an unpaid opportunity.
The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo accepts high school seniors throughout the year for internships in zookeeping. These unpaid, hands-on educational opportunities will give you a glimpse into the zoo’s conservation efforts and help you explore a potential career working with animals. As a zookeeping intern, you will be introduced to the daily care of exotic animals and assigned duties such as feeding, cleaning, and other responsibilities to maintain animal health. You will also have an opportunity to interact with zoo visitors and learn communication strategies.
You can find more details about the requirements and the role of a Zoo Keeping Intern. Fill out this application form to apply for the position!
7. Internships at the Biological Field Station at SUNY Oneonta
Location: State University of New York Oneonta campus, Buffalo, NY
Eligibility: Open to all high school students who are 16 years or older and are New York State residents.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: 9 weeks, typically late May to August.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; this is an unpaid opportunity.
The State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta offers a nine-week summer research internship for high schoolers in New York. These are highly selective and prestigious, as only 1-3 positions are available for high school students. As an intern, your responsibilities include aiding faculty and staff at the BFS central lab with their research projects while you work on your research project. At the end of the program, you will present a research poster to showcase your findings to your mentor, BFS faculty, and other interns.
This hands-on opportunity will expose you to fieldwork, laboratory analyses, data analysis, and scientific writing. You can view previous publications here! These previous fieldwork and laboratory analyses included fisheries and plant surveys, fish dissection, water sampling, and more.
Note: A total of 1-3 positions are available in the internship, with at least one position awarded to a resident of Otsego County, NY.
8. High School Assistant Summer Volunteering Program at Milwaukee Zoo
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Eligibility: High school students aged between 14-18 years can apply.
Application Deadline: April 21, 2024
Program Dates: Session 1: June 17 - July 23, 2024 | Session 2: July 8 - July 26, 2024 | Session 3: July 29 - August 14, 2024
Cost/Stipend: None.
Note: The sessions will be operational only on weekdays. An in-person training will take place on June 5, 2024.
The Zoological Society of Milwaukee offers an Assistant Summer Volunteering internship program for high school students over the summer. As an intern, you will spend two weeks assisting with camp activities, handling zoo tours, guiding visitors, and interacting with people of diverse ages and backgrounds. You will be guided by the college mentor assigned to you, which is an excellent networking opportunity.
The Summer 2024 cohort is open now; you can check out the details here and fill out this application form to apply! Once shortlisted, you will be invited to interview in early May, either in-person or virtually.
9. Georgia Aquarium Internships
Location: Atlanta, GA
Eligibility: Graduating seniors who are at least 18 years old can apply.
Application Deadline: Openings are continuously updated, along with application dates.
Program Dates: Typically 8-12 weeks (20-40 hours per week).
Stipend: Interns will be paid a stipend, but information on the amount is not available.
One of the largest aquariums in the world, the Georgia Aquarium offers graduating high school students an internship opportunity aimed at providing hands-on experience, building professional connections, and gaining a unique learning experience. These internships are extensions of the classroom learning experience where students can apply the knowledge they have gained in class. The internship program supports various departments within the aquarium, and interns are recruited for one semester at a time. As an intern, you can work with Zoological Operations and non-Zoological Operations teams, such as Event Services, Dive Operations, and Animal Training.
You will be supervised by an experienced professional and will be given routine feedback to help you improve. You can fill out this application form to apply for the position!
Location: Apple Valley, MN
Eligibility: The zoo offers a number of internships around the year, and eligibility varies with the role.
Application Deadline: Depends on the position you’re applying for.
Program Dates: Varies from internship to internship.
Stipend: Varies with the internship role.
The Minnesota Zoo offers paid internship opportunities for students interested in marine biology and animal care. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to engage in the care of marine species, educational programs, or conservation initiatives. These internships provide hands-on experience in dealing with marine species, making it an ideal choice for those keen on marine zoology. You will work alongside experienced professionals such as veterinary technicians, interpretive naturalists, zookeepers, and zoologists.
Although there are no internship positions open at the moment, you can check the website for updates.
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Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.