Internship - Veterinary Technician Externship Spring 2027

Internship: Veterinary Technician Externship
Season: Spring 2027
Location: Onsite
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 at 4pm CST

Please note: Applicants must be in their second year of, or have graduated from, an accredited Veterinary Technician program to be eligible for consideration. 

Your application must include: Cover letter, Curriculum vitae or resume, and list of three references that can vouch for your character and/or work ethic. Additional application materials beyond those required will not be accepted.

Internship Overview: 
This career learning experience allows veterinary technician externs 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 exotic animal medicine including routine health care, treatments, and procedures.

Responsibilities & Projects: 

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values 
• The preparation and execution of routine medical procedures including but not limited to radiology set up, ultrasonography, anesthesia monitoring, surgery and endoscopy.
• The preparation and administration of treatments including but not limited to phlebotomy, gavage feeding, fluid therapy, restraint and other supportive care treatments.
• The operation of medical equipment including ultrasound, laser therapy, microscopes and anesthesia machines.
• Diagnostics including but not limited to cytology, hematology, microbiology and sample analysis.
• Necropsies including collecting and preparing samples for evaluation.
• Partner with staff to maintain the hospital including cleaning, organizing and stocking supplies, and other tasks as directed.
• Complete a project to present at the end of the internship on a subject of the intern supervisor’s and student’s choosing.
• Other projects as assigned 

Qualifications: 

Fields of Interest: Sincere interest in a Veterinary Technician career at a zoo, aquarium, wildlife, or conservation organization.
 
Skills/Characteristics: 

• Currently in second year of an accredited veterinary technician program. Postgraduates accepted.
• Completion of an exotics animal medicine course preferred.
• At least 18 years old.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Familiarity with basic animal hospital and laboratory procedures and standards
• Ability to work well independently and with a team.
• Ability to communicate openly and professionally.
• Willingness to ask questions and to collaborate toward solutions.
• Ability to lift objects of 40 pounds or more as well as bend, crouch, squat and carry equipment.

On-boarding
All interns attend one full day orientation. These are held in person on select Mondays from 9am-5pm. This is required, even if you will not normally be scheduled on Mondays.

• Preferred Start Dates Spring 2027: March 1 or March 15

Time & Compensation: 

• This is an unpaid internship. Interns are responsible for securing their own housing accommodations and transport. Shedd Aquarium is accessible via public transit. 
• Interns must be available for at least four weeks, and 36 hours per week.
• Preferred schedule: Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Set schedule based on intern availability and host department needs. 

Reasonable Accommodations:

Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at [email protected].

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.