Internship Program Logistics

The majority of respondents were involved in the hiring, management, and development of interns. Some respondents were more involved in supporting and developing the intern program itself. Most respondents reported their interns receive stipends ranging from around $200 to $1200 a month. Several reported compensation is given in the form of an hourly wage. Internship length at each facility varies between 6 weeks and a year, with most around 3 to 4 months. The majority of these internships require 30 to 40 hours per week. The number of interns at each facility ranges from 1 to around 200 interns, with most around 10.
Internship areas vary greatly, but the majority of interns work in the animal care departments. Other areas include conservation, research, education, veterinary care, marketing, and communications. Some interns rotate between areas during their program, while others work in a specific area or with a specific group of animals. The majority of programs followed a learning path or syllabus with objectives like completing a specific project. A few facilities partner with a local college or university to directly provide internships for the students.