Zoo Internships

Columbian Park Zoo offers a variety of exciting internship opportunities for current
college students or recent graduates. All academic majors are encouraged to apply.

Internship Focus Areas (varies seasonally):
Animal Care: Ambassador Collection
Animal Care: Australia/Americas Exhibits
Animal Care: Family Farm Exhibit
Animal Care: Penguins
Animal Care: Commissary and Nutrition
Education: Animal Handling & Interpretive Programs
Education: Youth Programs
Education: Social Media Communications
Landscape/Horticulture

Seasons and Time Commitments:
Spring Internships:
o Internship runs January - April
o Orientation - January 19, 2026 (mandatory)
o Minimum 15 hours per week/13 week commitment required
o 2026 Spring Intern Application is closed

Summer Internships:
o Internship runs May - August, flexible start and end dates
o Orientation - May 11, 2026 (mandatory)
o Full-time or part-time availability
o Minimum 20 hours per week/13 week commitment required
o The 2026 Summer Intern application is available HERE - applications
are due March 6, 2026
https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1497354056

Fall Internships:
o Internship runs August - December
o Orientation - August 30, 2025 (mandatory)
o Minimum 15 hours per week/13-week commitment required
o The 2026 Fall Intern application is available HERE - applications are
due April 3, 2026 https://www.volgistics.com/appform/330775513
All internships are unpaid, and primarily educational in nature. Internships provide
valuable hands-on learning opportunities. Housing and transportation are the
responsibility of the intern. Flexible scheduling available, including weekends, to
accommodate most class/work schedules.

How does it work?
Candidates selected into the internship program are assigned a focus area based on where
their skills and availability best fit. Interns are paired with a staff mentor who will help guide
them through the onboarding and training process and provide advice and feedback as
they gain skills. Interns begin working alongside qualified staff with the goal of attaining a
level of competence in their focus area to be able to work independently by the conclusion
of the internship.

What does an intern do every day?
That depends on what focus the intern is assigned to and can vary a bit depending on their
work schedule. For example, there are some routine tasks that happen in the mornings so
afternoon interns may not have the exact same experiences as morning interns. Likewise,
interns working in animal care will have different experiences than those working in
education or other roles, but we are all working together to meet our common Zoo mission!
There are ample opportunities to learn more about how the puzzle pieces come together
through observation, teamwork, and discussions with mentoring staff!

Are there cross-training opportunities?
Potentially. There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time, so internships are structured so
as to focus on a single area with the goal of proficiency, then mastery of that area. We may
permit interns to shadow in other areas, provided their attendance and performance is
progressing satisfactorily. Limited cross-training may be provided at the Zoo’s discretion,
but should not be expected. However, as a small facility with a high degree of integration,
interns can expect a significant amount of exposure to the goings-on of other areas and
have ample opportunities to gain big picture perspectives from their mentors and other
staff. We believe an internship will give back what you put into it. Approach it with a curious
mind, intent to understand both your role and how it fits into the bigger picture, and ask lots
of questions and you are bound to learn a great deal during your time here. For those
interested in multiple diverse internship focus areas, we do consider interns who reapply
for a second internship in a different area in subsequent semesters.

How independent are internships?
Internships at CPZ are progressively independent. In the early days you are considered a
learner, working alongside or in proximity to qualified staff, with a focus on understanding a
key set of tasks and responsibilities. As you gain proficiency you will be working more
independently for longer stretches of time, with the end goal of eventually being able to
confidently and capably complete the responsibilities of your focus area with minimal
direct supervision required. However, there is always a "safety net" and a team of
dedicated animal professionals available to assist, coach, explain, clarify and help you
grow professionally. We encourage interns to develop open communication with zoo staff,
ask questions, express interests and engage in productive conversations that help them
build a better understanding of how zoos work to provide the best care for their animals
and engage their communities on conservation issues.

What can I expect from my mentor?
Each intern is assigned a mentor, who will serve as a touchstone for them throughout their
time at CPZ. Typically, your mentor is the senior zookeeper or educator in your focus area.
Throughout your internship you will work alongside your mentor sometimes, but not all the
time! You will also work directly and receive some task training from other staff members.
We feel it is valuable for interns to gain experience learning to work with different
individuals in order to develop strong team communication skills, adaptability, and also to
benefit from multiple perspectives. Every single staff member has something valuable to
teach and we embrace that mindset at CPZ! Although you may not work directly with your
mentor every shift, you will have regular communication with them as they guide your
training progress, provide feedback, and share insights and expertise. You will also have
regular check-ins with the Internship Coordinator, who will assist you with the logistical
aspects of your internship (time off requests, cross-shadow opportunities, etc) and can
connect you with resources and experiences to take your internship to the next level.
Remember, internships are what you make of them. Interns who ask questions,
demonstrate curiosity, and develop a strong communication pattern with their mentor (and
other staff) tend to report the greatest satisfaction with their experience!

I have an interest in veterinary medicine. Will I get to work with the zoo vet?
Interns do not work with the zoo's vet. Those seeking direct exotic veterinary experience will
be better served applying elsewhere. However, there is still value in participating in a zoo
internship for prospective vet med students. Zoo internships provide hands-on, real-world
experience working with animals that go beyond what you can get in a shelter or typical vet
clinic setting. Animal care internships provide opportunities to learn about animal welfare,
behavioral observations, enrichment as a form of "preventative medicine", zoonotic
disease and hygiene, and safe animal handling. For those specifically seeking experience
with exotic species, we recommend applying for an Animal Care internship with a focus in
Ambassador collection or an Education internship. Both of these areas provide the
broadest diversity of species and taxa, with Education internships incorporating a lot of
handling and also providing opportunities to build interpretive communication skills that
will benefit future veterinarians in client conversations. Farm internships also provide
experience valuable for future veterinarians, particularly during the summer goat kidding
season, or for those without previous livestock experience. Regardless of your area, as a
small facility our zookeeping staff have an active role in triage, medication delivery,
therapies, behavioral management and other processes that may be conducted by medical
support staff in larger zoos. Working alongside mentors with these skills and experiences
provide a valuable opportunity to learn about veterinary care plans and processes in
captive exotic management.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at zoovolunteers@lafayette.in.gov