Internship Opportunities at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Thank you for your interest in interning with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. The Desert Museum is a zoo, botanic garden, natural history museum and art gallery that offers unpaid internships throughout the year. Below, you will find a list of available internships; please select the internship posting to view more details. These can be done for credit in coordination with your college or university.

If an internship aligns with your interests, availability and academic goals, please fill out and submit an internship application, as well as submitting a cover letter and resumé to the Volunteer Coordinator either by uploading with your application, by email mwalker@desertmuseum.org or by mail (2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson AZ, 85743). If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to call 520-883-3082.

If you don’t see an opportunity that interests you on the internship page, please review our regular volunteer opportunities. Some volunteer positions can be modified to fit the requirements of an internship. Please indicate the volunteer job that most interests you on your internship application.

Current Internships

Herpetology, Ichthyology & Invertebrate Zoology (HIIZ) - Aquarium

Internship Description:

Interns in this position complete a natural history of the Sonoran Desert training that has an emphasis on establishing interpretive, animal care and leadership skills. Interns perform tasks related to the animal husbandry of the Museum's aquatics animal collection and guest experiences within the exhibit areas. This is an unpaid position and there is no housing provided. For school credit, check with your advisor regarding the requirements of your college.

Internship Schedule:

Interns should have flexible schedules to accommodate a 8-10 hour week. Aquarium Interns make a 10-12 week commitment (depending on school requirements), during the following terms:

Fall (September - December)
Spring (January - May)
Summer (May - August) Shifts are concurrent with seasonal museum hours

Internship Duties (including but not limited to):

Animal Husbandry: Assisting with the day-to-day husbandry and maintenance of our fresh and saltwater fishes.
Diet Prep: Assisting with the preparation of meals for our animals. This includes frozen/thawed shellfish and seafood, as well as invertebrates, pellets/flakes etc.
Enrichment: Providing enrichment for aquatic animals.
Special Projects: Open for discussion based on the interests of individuals. May include:
Getting into tanks for scrubbing
Developing new enrichment ideas
Logging and documenting data

Requirements:

Applicants must currently be enrolled in a college or university (or have graduated in the last year) and have at least one year of study in a related field. Applicants should have a friendly, outgoing personality, an eagerness to demonstrate positive leadership skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Benefits:

This is a unique internship opportunity that provides the tools towards developing leadership skills while gaining hands-on experience with marine animals at an AZA accredited facility. Aquarium Interns get the chance to expand upon their speaking skills and animal care experience while gaining knowledge of species related to the Sonoran Desert. Additionally, interns will have access to educational resources and mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.