Internships - Getting Experience
Experience, experience, experience. It is impossible to overemphasize the impact that experience will have on your success. It is crucial that you obtain as much professional experience as possible. There are countless avenues for obtaining that experience, you are only limited by your energy and resourcefulness. A few general areas to think about exploring and to organize your search:

• Zoos and Aquariums (accredited and otherwise)
• Animal Shelters & SPCA
• Government Agencies
  • Federal agencies, such as USFWS & USDA
  • State agencies, such as the Game Commission and DCNR
• Museums (natural history, natural sciences, etc.)
• Retail pet trade, kennels, local trainers
• Park systems - often hire naturalists and environmental educators
  • Federal parks (such as Yellowstone)
  • Parks run by your state, county or city
• Wildlife refuges (associated with US Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Wildlife rehabilitation centers
• Private centers, such as the Audubon Societies.
• Societies - for birds, mammals, herps, conservation, etc. - these often post jobs, sign up for their newsletters

In addition, there are a great many other organizations that offer valuable experience. Some provide housing or a stipend, others are volunteer. For more information on any particular program, use the links below.

Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums - Job Listings	Job listings for all accredited zoos and aquariums are posted here, a great place to get started.
American Association of Zoo Keepers - Job Board	AAZK "Opportunity Knocks" board, zoo keeper jobs and internships.
Wildlife Parks, Refuges & Wildlife Research Organizations
National Park Service	Job information available but you have to dig. Try going to individual park sites as well or government job boards.
USAJobs	Database of all federal jobs, including wildlife openings. Limited utility.
National Wildlife Refuge System	Excellent opportunities are available. Explained and cross-listed under USFWS below.
US Fish and Wildlife Service	This link opens a new browser window that in turn offers multiple links and some suggestions for finding opportunities.
Hawk Mountain	Fantastic place, offers semester-long research internships with housing and pay.
PRBO	Point Reyes Bird Observatory - multiple internships, stipends available
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation	Internships with herps sometimes available if you search the site.
Institute for Bird Populations	Offers internships with training, housing, and a stipend.
The Wetlands Institute	Salt marsh ecology, internships in chelonian biology, education, aquarist assistants
NSF REU listing	The mother lode of academic research internships, usually paid, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (research experiences for undergrads)
Wildlife Rehabilitation Check out our additional list of Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship Opportunities
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association	General information on careers, explanations of the field, and useful links.
Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary	Interns will receive intense rehabilitation training focusing on native wildlife.
NWRA Job Listings	Searchable, national job listings, you can choose the search criteria - an excellent resource.
Environmental Jobs & Careers	Job and internship opportunities, but the site is very broad - not limited to wildlife.
Semproniano Wildlife & Exotic Animal Rescue Center	Multiple internship opportunities in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation, located in Italy.
Wildlife Internship Listing	Good listing of rehab and other internships, hosted by the University of Vermont.
Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center	Interns will be involved in all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation from admission to release. These unpaid internship positions are offered each year between April 1st and October 31st. The deadline for applying is March 1, 2018.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center	Volunteer opportunities for those that want marine mammal experience.
New Mexico Wildlife Center	Hands-on internship assisting rehabilitation staff with all aspects of care.
State Organizations
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Conservation Volunteer Program	State agency for conservation, includes links to all Pennsylvania state parks. There are similar agencies in each state although the precise name and organization will vary.
State Wildlife Agencies	This page provides links to the game commissions in each state in the US and the provinces of Canada. Note that some states may have other relevant agencies in addition to the ones listed. For example, PA has the DCNR, game commission, and fish and boat commission - all with different jurisdictions.
Other Sites
Wildlife Job Postings at TAMU	An outstanding site maintained at Texas A&M University. Great listings of permanent & temporary positions, internships, and other links.
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates	Listing of all NSF-REU sponsored research opportunities nationally, paid research internships.
USDA Current Job Openings USDA Student Opportunities, internships, and Scholarships	The USDA offers a number of openings related to wildlife, animal control, and animal welfare. Often overlooked.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)	National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS), environmental fellowships
Institute for Wildlife Studies	Some seasonal and full-time positions, also picked up at the Texas A&M job board.
Dolphin Research Center	Unpaid internships in FL working with dolphins and/or sea lions.
Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute BDRI	BDRI engages people worldwide in scientific projects to participate as students, volunteers in hands-on research with wild bottlenose dolphins in Sardinia, Italy.
National Audubon Society	Explore the state Audubon societies as well for opportunities close to home.
Student Conservation Association	Diverse conservation positions from around the country. Volunteer although some pay living expenses. Youth Conservation Corps in some states hire upperclassmen or recent grads to direct their youth corps (see state chapters of interest and make an inquiry).
Ornithological Societies of America	Listings primarily on birds (of course!). Good site for summer internships and biological technician positions.
Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge	This is a 90-day unpaid position (by 4 quarters/terms) allowing one to gain experience in the zoological field.
Environmental Science.org	A great resource for finding environmental internships and information on environmental science in general.
Loop Abroad	Loop Abroad offers two-week veterinary service programs in Thailand where students work alongside a US veterinarian learning and practicing clinical skills in a dog shelter and volunteering with elephants at the world-renowned Elephant Nature Park. Small groups, experienced staff, no pre-requisites, a hands-on curriculum, and financial aid make this trip accessible to any student who loves animals.

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