Gain valuable knowledge, skills and work experience as an intern at the Minnesota Zoo!
The Minnesota Zoo offers unpaid internships in many of its divisions. A MN Zoo internship provides workplace experience and the opportunity to learn about careers in zoology, education, communication, conservation, and public service.
All interns promote the mission of the MN Zoo: To connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife. College students who are accepted as interns at the Zoo have a unique opportunity to gain practical workplace experience, complete a meaningful independent projected related to their internship placement, and fulfill an academic requirement within their program of study.
Please note: Because the MN Zoo is an agency of the State of Minnesota, all college interns at the Minnesota Zoo MUST be:
- Enrolled in an accredited educational institution AND
- Completing an internship for academic credit as part of their academic program OR
- Completing an internship as a means of fulfilling an academic requirement as part of their academic program
The schedule of internship availability follows that of the post-secondary academic calendar. Within these parameters, application openings and closing dates, and internship start and end dates may vary.
2019 Internship Periods
Spring Semester Internships, 2019: Between January 28, 2019 and May 3, 2019
Summer Internships, 2019: Between May 13, 2019 and August 26, 2019
Fall Semester Internships, 2019: Between September 9, 2019 and December 13, 2019
Internships at the MN Zoo are 10, 12, or 13 weeks long. See position descriptions for information about the schedule in each work area.
Unpaid Internships, Fall 2019
Accepting applications for Fall Semester 2019 Unpaid Internships through April 26, 2019!
Fall 2019 internships will be scheduled between September 10, 2019 and December 13, 2019. Internship periods may be 10, 12, or 13 weeks long.
Successful applicants MUST attend a mandatory MN Zoo Orientation and On-boarding meeting during the week before they report for their first day in their assigned work area.
Zoological Graphic Design Internships(unpaid)
Interns in this area work with the marketing team to increase public awareness, generate an understanding of, and excitement for, the Minnesota Zoo and its programs.
Applicants must be students in an accredited post-secondary graphic design program and must be fully competent in using Adobe design software.
Zoo Keeper Internships: Animal Care (unpaid)
Zoo Keeper Interns learn in depth about the care of animals in the Zoo’s collections. They prepare diets, maintain sanitary conditions for the animals in the Zoo’s collection, and develop enrichment. Zoo keeper interns also may interpret some exhibits for the public.
- Zoological Intern-Zoo Keeper, Aquariums
Apply for the Zoological Intern – Zookeeper, Aquariums placement
- Zoological Intern-Zoo Keeper, Birds Department
Apply for the Zoological Intern – Zookeeper, Birds Department placement
- Zoological Intern-Zoo Keeper, Northern Trail
Apply for the Zoological Intern – Zookeeper, Northern Trail placement
Interpretive Naturalist Internships: Animal Programs (unpaid)
Interns in interpretive naturalist positions connect guests with the Zoo’s collections to promote its conservation message and help to care for the collections by preparing diets, maintaining sanitary conditions, conducting observational research, and preparing enrichment.
- Zoological Intern-Interpretive Naturalist, Behavioral Husbandry
Apply for the Zoological Intern – Interpretive Naturalist, Behavioral Husbandry placement
- Zoological Intern-Interpretive Naturalist, Close Encounters
Apply for the Zoological Intern – Interpretive Naturalist, Close Encounters placement
- Zoological Intern-Interpretive Naturalist, Marine Mammals
Apply for the Zoological Intern – Interpretive Naturalist, Marine Mammals placement
Zoological Exhibit Design Internship (unpaid)
Apply for the Zoological Intern – Exhibit Design placement
The process of designing a new Zoo exhibit is complex and fascinating. Exhibit designers must consider both the needs and habits of animal residents, and the needs of their zoo keepers and the Zoo’s human visitors. Interns will learn the different stages of developing a new exhibit, including researching where the animal lives in the wild, selecting plants to include in the exhibit, and making decisions about materials and surfaces.
Zoological Undergraduate Research Assistant Internship – Conservation and Field Biology (unpaid)
From the cooperative breeding programs and conservation action campaigns we lead, to restoration of local wildlife and green practices on site, conservation is at the heart of everything at the MN Zoo. The engine of Zoo’s conservation work is its Conservation and Field Biology Research team. These scientists work locally, regionally, and internationally to lead projects that address a wide range of threats to endangered species and their natural habitats.
The Conservation and Field Biology Research Assistant Intern works under the direction of the Field Conservation Supervisor and may receive additional direction from the MN Zoo’s Conservations Biologists and/or Conservation Specialists. The Intern may assist with research tasks including data collection, management, and analysis; maintaining equipment and spaces to assure proper research procedures are followed; and communicating project updates.
Zoological Undergraduate Research Assistant Internship – Social Sciences and Evaluation (unpaid)
Minnesota Zoological Gardens is seeking an intern to work with the Evaluation and Research Specialist to assist with various projects, including exhibit evaluation and other social science research. General duties will include data entry and analysis, intercept surveys and interviews, visitor observations, and other duties as available.
The successful candidate should have an interest in museum interpretation, evaluation, and research, with a demonstrated ability to interact with the general public in a pleasant and courteous manner. Proficiency with varied computer software and data management, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills is required. Due to the nature of our organization and visitors, a portion of the weekly hours are expected to occur during the weekend. The intern will work under the direction of the Evaluation and Research specialist.
Unpaid Internships which may be available in the future
Zoological Intern – Field Conservation, Turtles Internship
Zoological Intern-Summer Zoo Camp Interpretive Naturalist Internship
Zoological Intern-Zoo Keeper, Life Support Systems
Zoological Intern- Farmkeeper, Wells Fargo Family Farm
Zoological Intern, Zoo Keeper, Llama Trek
Zoological Intern-Zoo Keeper, Minnesota & Tropics Trail
Zoological Human Resources Internship (unpaid)
The Minnesota Zoo’s Human Resources team is responsible for supporting about 220 full-time, part-time, and intermittent staff. In the spring and summer, that number grows to between 270 and 300 with the addition of temporary staff.
The Minnesota Zoo employs people from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition to typical “zoo jobs” such as veterinary technicians, interpretive naturalists, zookeepers, zoologists, and veterinarians, the business end of the Zoo requires people with many different skills, from accountants and marketing staff to carpenters and guest services staff.
Zoological Intern- Human Resources
Zoological Animal Health Internship: Vet Tech (unpaid)
The Animal Health Department at the Minnesota Zoo is responsible for the care and management of all animals in its collection. As a vet tech intern, you will have hands-on experience with mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
Applicants must be students in an accredited Veterinarian Technician program of study and must have completed required coursework in surgery and anesthesia prior to beginning this internship.
Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech, CVT) Intern
Zoological Intern – Interpretive Naturalist, Outreach (Zoomobile)
Zoological Intern-Education, School Programs (K-12)
Paid Internship
None at this time
For additional information, please email the MN Zoo Internship and Youth Development Coordinator at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)