Are you interested in earning hands-on experience in your career path of choice?
Our Internship Program may be for you! Our internship experience is an exciting learning opportunity for college students to participate in various departments at the Zoo to achieve learning goals associated with their field of study.
Interns will be carefully monitored by the Volunteer Coordinator and their managers to ensure that they have an opportunity to actively participate in his/her learning experiences, and if applicable, that they meet the requirements of their educational institution for academic credit. The program features a learning agenda complete with objectives, observation, reflection, evaluation, assessment and periodic performance evaluations. Internships last for 16 weeks.
How is this program structured?
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo’s Internship Program consists of an exciting hands-on experience that lasts for a minimum of 16 weeks. Internships are unpaid, however, at the successful completion of an internship period, the intern will receive a complimentary annual family membership, complimentary VIP tickets for WaZoo and Zoofari, portfolios of work completed during the internship, and letters of reference.
All interns will also receive the opportunity for networking with top professionals during our exclusive Brown Bag Lunch series, which are open only to current interns of the Zoo. Each Brown Bag Lunch is hosted by a manager within the Zoo, or by a professional from within the Tampa Bay business community.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo uses a multi-faceted approach to ensure a positive learning experience for our interns. The program is structured through use of a learning contract, daily tasks/curriculum, open communication, record-keeping and evaluations.
What positions are available?
Current internship opportunities include positions within our Animal, Education and Operations and Administration departments (see the top of the page).
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Who is eligible?
Applicants must be current college or Master’s level students or recent graduates (within 6 months of graduation), must be ages 18 and must submit a completed Internship Application, cover letter and resume in order to be considered for a position. A non-refundable $25 application fee is also required to be submitted along with the application that defrays the cost of the background check. After acceptance into the program, incoming interns pay a $30 program fee which will cover the cost of program materials, orientation, t-shirt, name badge and attendance at four Brown Bag Luncheons.
Intern Schedule Requirements
- Must be willing and able to commit to a 16 week internship
- Animal Department Interns must be able to commit to a schedule of a minimum of 25 hours per week, some nights and weekends may be required.
- Education Department Interns must be able to commit to a schedule of a minimum of 15-20 hours per week, some nights and weekends may be required.
- Operations/Administration Department Interns must be able to commit to a schedule of a minimum of 15-20 hours per week, some nights and weekends may be required.
Additional Requirements
- Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Must successfully pass a background screening.
- Education Department applicants must additionally successfully pass a fingerprint screening.
- Animal Department applicants only must submit documentation of a negative TB test within the last 12 months, and Tetanus vaccination within the last 5 years.
To apply for an administration internship, please submit application, cover letter and resume to:
via email:
or via mail:
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
Operations/Administration Intern Program
1101 W. Sligh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33604
PAST INTERN COMMENTS:
“The experience I gained at the Zoo has definitely helped me so far with my job search. I’ve gotten interviews specifically because of the work I did at the Zoo. Potential employers have been impressed by my knowledge and experience in development, as well as the professionalism and office skills I gained while at the Zoo. Before starting my internship at the Zoo, I did not have any experience in development but my manager and other staff members were more than happy to teach and guide me. I was always treated with respect and like an important, contributing staff member. I couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience and I’m happy to know that my former supervisors are more than happy to provide me with recommendations and support.”
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Office of Development Intern |
