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.