Paid Internships

An enthusiastic student intern assisting with gardening at the Zoo, surrounded by vibrant greenery.

The L.A. Zoo hosts 10-week paid internships for college students to gain experience in the zoo and conservation fields each summer. Starting a career in zoos or conservation often requires real-world experience. Historically, this has meant unpaid internships or volunteer work, which excludes anyone who cannot afford to devote time outside of school or work hours. Interns in the L.A. Zoo’s Paid Internship Program work directly with industry professionals on real world projects, then summarize and present on their experience at the conclusion of their internship.

Internships in 2024 are with the Zoo’s Conservation and Learning & Engagement divisions.

Conservation Internships

Paid Internship participants conduct field research.

Conservation Interns work directly with the L.A. Zoo’s Conservation team, gaining real world application of science, research, and conservation skills. In July 2021, the L.A. Zoo released its first Conservation Strategic Plan (CSP), which guides its conservation efforts and expands its positive impact through 2026. Key to this CSP is an increasing focus on local conservation projects that engage our community members, improve native biodiversity, and help meet the goals of local stakeholders in Los Angeles.

This internship provides opportunities to:

Gain career experience in zoo and conservation fields;
Develop technical skills to conduct background research, data collection, and analysis through project-based learning;
Choose a scientific study related to the native wildlife nearby or on the L.A. Zoo campus with peers, enact it, and present on their findings;
Gain understanding of conservation, the role of the L.A. Zoo in it, and the importance of building accessibility and intergenerational stewardship capacity; and
Engage with the L.A. Zoo’s Conservation Committee and other community partners for networking opportunities and introductions to conservation-related careers and opportunities.

Learning & Engagement Internships

Learning & Engagement interns work directly with the L.A. Zoo’s Learning & Engagement (L&E) Division to foster lasting relationships between our communities, nature, and animals. L&E interns facilitate conversations about wildlife conservation, nature, and animal welfare with the diverse communities that visit the L.A. Zoo through informal programming for general Zoo visitors.

This internship provides opportunities to:

Gain knowledge and career experience in zoo and environmental education fields;
Develop public communication skills while engaging with the public in dialogue about habitats, wildlife, conservation, and animal welfare; and
Gain experience working with diverse audiences.