About the role#
This externship offers a learning experience within an aquarium animal hospital. You will work alongside veterinarians and technicians to provide care for a diverse collection of fishes, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. You will gain exposure to exotic animal medicine through routine health care, medical procedures, and daily hospital operations.
What you'll do#
- Support routine medical procedures, including radiology, ultrasonography, anesthesia monitoring, surgery, and endoscopy.
- Administer treatments such as phlebotomy, gavage feeding, fluid therapy, and animal restraint.
- Operate medical equipment, including ultrasound, laser therapy, microscopes, and anesthesia machines.
- Conduct diagnostics like cytology, hematology, microbiology, and sample analysis.
- Assist with necropsies and prepare samples for evaluation.
- Maintain the hospital by cleaning, organizing, and stocking supplies.
- Complete a final project on a subject chosen with your supervisor.
- Demonstrate commitment to the values and mission of the aquarium.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment in the second year of an accredited veterinary technician program or graduation from one.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Familiarity with basic animal hospital and laboratory standards.
- Ability to lift 40 pounds or more, along with the physical ability to bend, crouch, squat, and carry equipment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.
- Completion of an exotics animal medicine course is preferred.
Location & details#
- Location: Chicago, Illinois (On-site).
- Term: Spring 2027.
- Commitment: Minimum of four weeks, at least 36 hours per week.
- Schedule: Typically Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Compensation: This is an unpaid internship. Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation.
About Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium operates as a nonprofit organization focused on the aquatic animal world. Based in Chicago, the facility serves as a resource for animal care, conservation research, and public learning. The aquarium maintains a staff of over 600 employees to manage operations throughout the year. It functions as both a local partner and a global collaborator in its field.
How to get in at Shedd Aquarium
Applying early to internships at Shedd Aquarium provides a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and get seen before the pile grows. This helps you stay ahead of the typical application rush. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the right people. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. This direct approach often works better than sending your resume into a general queue.
