Powell, OH – As part of our commitment to increase diversity representation in the zoo field and empower future conservation leaders, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds, and Zoombezi Bay, are looking for applicants for the RISE Scholarship program.
The RISE scholarship program, generously provided by Battelle, provides internship experiences with focuses from business to biology, for students ages 18 years and older who are interested in potential careers in animal care, guest services and mission-driven careers. Internships are awarded to students within underserved and underrepresented populations, including race/ethnicity, sex, gender identify/expression, and low-income or socio-economically disadvantaged. Another goal of the program is to remove financial barriers that may be caused by unpaid internships.
RISE, which stands for Respect, Include, Succeed, and Educate, offers internship opportunities that are currently available for students interested in the following areas at the Columbus Zoo, The Wilds, and Zoombezi Bay:
Columbus Zoo
- Construction Management
- Planning and Design
- Exhibit Interactives
- Animal Care
The Wilds
- Ecology
- Social Media and Outreach
Zoombezi Bay
- Operations Auditing
Following the completion of their internship, each student will commit to writing and submitting a 2-page essay detailing their personal work experiences, their project work, career insights and any suggestions for making the internship a more valuable experience. This will be submitted to the Zoo's Human Resources team as well as their department supervisor.
According to a study by Zippia, 74.1 percent of zoo keepers are White. Comparatively, 16.3 percent are Hispanic or Latino and 4.0 percent are Black. There are other disparities in the zoo field such as gender identity/expression, and low-income.
“Now entering its second year, the RISE Scholarship program is helping us create unique opportunities for students interested in working within a variety of areas in the zoological field. Even more importantly, this program is strengthening this field by creating a more diverse and representative culture that enables to make an even bigger impact in our collective work to save wildlife,” said Carman Wirtz, Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
Applications will be reviewed by a third party panel using a scoring rubric. Each recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship* to offset expenses or be paid hourly up to $5,000 through the scholarship fund. Students must commit to 12 weeks in animal care internship positions or 240 hours of work in other non-animal areas. *Non animal care internships will be paid biweekly via payroll
Students must be 18 years of age and complete the application by April 15, 2023. Scholarship information, application and internship descriptions can be found on our RISE Scholarship page. For this application process, students will need to provide: their student transcript, letters of recommendation and/or references, and a current resume. Financial documentation may also be required depending on the student’s application.
Additional information, including profiles on previous participants, can be found on the Columbus Zoo’s blog.
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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.
About The Wilds
The Wilds sits on almost 10,000 acres of lush landscapes along the Appalachian Byway and attracts nearly 120,000 visitors annually. The Wilds is among one of the largest, cutting-edge conservation centers in North America and is home to more than 500 animals representing 28 rare and endangered species from around the world. The Wilds operates tours, overnight accommodations, special events, and summer camps as a source of revenue. The Wilds is located at 14000 International Road in Cumberland, Ohio, about 90 minutes east of Columbus. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from May through October. For more information, visit TheWilds.org.
About Zoombezi Bay
Zoombezi Bay is a 22.7-acre water park that features 19 state-of-the-art water attractions, including the aquatic adventure area, Otter Banks; themed water slide, SoundSurfer; the multi-level play structure, Baboon Lagoon; a wave pool; an action river; a lazy river; a kiddie play pool and more. During the regular summer season, admission to Zoombezi Bay includes the Columbus Zoo, and proceeds from the water park support the Zoo’s operation and mission. Please visit www.zoombezibay.com for more information.
