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An internship at the Vancouver Aquarium is a great opportunity to grow. You will acquire practical knowledge of your profession, working with highly qualified professionals and under the supervision of a mentor. As the Vancouver Aquarium is a nonprofit organization seeking to effect conservation of aquatic life, your donation of time and skills would greatly contribute to furthering our mission.
Internship descriptions will be posted here along with instructions for application. Students will be accepted based on skill sets and availability. Applications are accepted from any country, but unfortunately we are not able to assist you with your entry process. Canadian applicants will be given priority.
Please view the opportunities listed to see which internships we are currently accepting applications for.
No previous event management experience required! This internship is designed to introduce practical experience in event planning and management. Support our External Relations team and develop your event planning, coordination and administrative skills during this three month placement.
Learn more about the Event Planing Internship - External Relations
No previous administrative experience necessary! This internship is designed to introduce practical experience in direct sales and customer service. Support our Membership team and develop your marketing, sales and administrative skills during this two month placement.
Learn more about the Sales and Administrative Internship - Membership
No previous administrative experience is necessary for this 2 month internship. This program is designed to introduce practical experience in administrative skills in combination with the many skills required for a busy retail back office.
Learn more about the Retail Administrative Internship
Be mentored by our Human Resources experts and work with a dynamic and varied staff. This internship is designed to introduce practical experience in HR in combination with the many skills that are associated with a career in this field.
Learn more about the Human Resources Internship
This internship provides great experience in the communications and public relations field. You will directly interact with media, write press releases and support social media. This competitive internship will shine on your resume.
Learn more about the Communications Internship
This intternship will provide individuals with practical office experience in a high pace, wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centre. The Office Assistant will maintain the office environment by answering and fielding phone calls, coordinating transportation of animals to the centre, and performing special projects.
Learn more about the Marine Mammal Rescue Internship
This internship is designed to provide a placement to develop strong interpersonal and customer service skills. As a visitor experience intern, you will be working within a team to create the ultimate visitor experience for all of our visitors.
Learn more about the Visitor Experience Internship
Through off-site delivery of aquatic education programs, you can apply your education background to further promote understanding of connections between animals, environments and ourselves in schools across British Columbia and Alberta.
Learn more about the Outreach Educator Internship
This three-month internship is designed to introduce practical experience and the basics of program development and delivery for a career as an interpreter. This 3 month program will introduce you to interactive props, multi-media and live animal displays to deliver engaging programs to all audiences.
Learn more about the Interpretive Delivery Internship
This internship will provide students with hands-on experience in marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation and the conservation of marine life. Students will also take part in laboratory procedures, and rescue techniques, and help with the veterinary care of stranded marine mammals. Vet techs or vet students are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about the Marine Mammal Rescue Internship
This internship is designed to introduce practical experience in husbandry skills and the basics of training required to become an excellent marine mammal trainer. You'll work closely with our marine mammal staff under the supervision of a mentor.
Learn more about the Marine Mammal Training Internship
The Vancouver Aquarium and the University of British Columbia have joined forces to investigate the decline of the steller sea lion and northern fur seal. This 3-4 month internship program is largely based on training the animals for research purposes.
Learn more about the Pinniped Training and Research Internship
Get your hands wet while caring for our tropical fish, amphibians and birds with our Tropical Waters Department. This 3 month internship will provide students with hands-on experience in animal care and husbandry of various species, based on the need of the department and the applicant's interests.
Learn more about the Tropical Waters Aquarist Internship
Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technician students in their final year are encouraged to apply. Students will have the opportunity to spend 2-3 weeks with our veterinary staff and work with the Vancouver Aquarium's 6,000-plus species of animals, which include marine mammals, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
Learn more about the Animal Health Technician Internship
Veterinary students in their final years are encouraged to apply. Veterinary externs will work closely with the Vancouver Aquarium's veterinary staff in the medical management of a large collection that includes marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and a large variety of native and tropical fish. Unpaid externships are available for 2-4 weeks each.
Learn more about the Veterinary Externship
A: Yes, international post-secondary students who are currently enrolled and will be returning to school or recent graduates are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to Canadian applicants.
A: The Vancouver Aquarium strives to provide additional resources for our internship students. Please note this information is updated yearly and you may need to confirm details. Learn more in a Guide to Student Living in Vancouver
A: Applicants must be over 19 years old. Preference will be given to current or recently graduated students in order to prepare you for a career in the field. There is no maximum age for applicants.
A: If you don't see the opportunity you're looking for, we may be able to accommodate special intern, extern or practicum placement requests.
Internships not posted online are set up individually based on the needs of the Vancouver Aquarium and the skill sets that interested parties present. Please provide us with a detailed letter of interest and your resume, and we will do our best to find a place for you. Your resume and letter of intent can be sent to volunteer@vanaqua.org.
In your letter of interest, please include the following:
Note: We can only offer unpaid opportunities. If a placement opportunity can be created, only applicants who have applied will be contacted.
A: We can only offer unpaid opportunities. If you are looking for a paid experience, please look at our Careers page.
A: If you're in high school, please check out our Work Experience page.
If you have further questions, please contact us directly.
Phone: 604-659-3478
Email: volunteer@vanaqua.org
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Experience the Jelly Invasion at the Vancouver Aquarium
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A jelly is made up of up to 96 per cent water.
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