Malott Family Zoo Intern Program

The Malott Family Zoo Intern Program is a paid summer internship at Lincoln Park Zoo for high school students who live in the city of Chicago. Interns spend seven weeks at the zoo learning about animal and conservation science and sharing that knowledge with zoo visitors. During the program, they study informal education techniques and practice ways to teach guests about conservation. Interns also meet with researchers and Animal Care staff to learn about possible careers in the field. Each intern builds and presents a final project that encourages realistic conservation habits. The 2026 program ran Monday through Friday from June 22 to August 7, with a required orientation on Saturday, June 6.

To qualify for 2026, applicants needed to be 16 to 18 years old by June 6, 2026, be entering grades 10 through 12 or their first year of college in fall 2026, live in the city of Chicago, and be legally allowed to work in the United States. Participants must attend the Saturday orientation and every training day. Apply through the zoo's online application. The 2026 application opened February 1 and closed March 9, 2026, and the zoo emailed every applicant with a decision by April 3, 2026.