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Internships

Build experience alongside the experts with a Shedd Aquarium internship. From animal care to marketing, our internships offer career exploration in a variety of professions!

INTERNSHIP Information

VETERINARY OPPORTUNITIES

Follow the application instructions outlined within the listings below. 

An intern lends a hand in Shedd's vegetable garden.
Volunteer talks to children at Stingray Touch.

Learn from the pros with a Shedd internship

Learn and practice new skills under the guidance of Shedd staff. Gain insight into the behind-the-scenes operations that support Shedd’s mission. Connect with others passionate about the natural world.

We welcome applications from all levels of experience, including those seeking career exploration or changes, gap year students, freshmen, sophomores, and those seeking first internships.

All internships are unpaid. Interns are responsible for securing their own housing accommodations and transport. Shedd Aquarium is accessible via public transit.

SEE ALL OF OUR CURRENT OPENINGS!

What are the benefits of being a Shedd intern?

  • Admission to the aquarium and other cultural institutions
  • The chance to see how Shedd works behind the scenes
  • Gift shop and café discounts and discounted parking while interning
  • Helping to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world
  • Meeting a diverse group of staff members, interns and guests who share a passion for aquatic life

Internship opportunities at Shedd Aquarium 

  • Fishes
  • Marine Mammals
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Conservation
  • Human Resources
  • Development
  • Veterinary opportunities - keep scrolling below!

Offerings vary by season

Veterinary internship opportunities at Shedd


Click on the descriptions below to learn more about our veterinary-based opportunities. Please review carefully as these programs have specific education requirements.


Veterinary Technician Internship

This career learning experience allows veterinary technician interns to learn and participate in the day to day workings of an aquarium animal hospital, which provides care for a large collection of fishes, marine and terrestrial mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates. Working closely with veterinary technicians and veterinarians, they will experience and assist in exotic animal medicine including routine health care, treatments, and procedures.
Learn More , on the Veterinary Technician Internship page

Veterinary Preceptorship

The veterinary practice at Shedd Aquarium encompasses a fully-equipped hospital and satellite clinical facility, a clinical pathology and necropsy laboratory, and a molecular biology/microbial ecology laboratory. In addition, the practice integrates closely with the on-site environmental quality laboratory. Preceptees have the opportunity to spend time participating in each of these functional areas while assisting with patient care to a large and diverse collection of aquatic and terrestrial species.

The practice is staffed by three full-time clinical veterinarians (including an ACZM board certified diplomate), a zoological medicine resident from the Illinois Zoological and Aquatic Animal Residency (IZAAR) program, and four full-time certified veterinary technicians.

Learn More , on the Veterinary Preceptorship page