Volunteer / Practicum & Externship Programs

Gain career experience

and mentorship

Open to students that are enrolled in a college or university course with a practicum component

Overview

Gain career experience and expert mentorship through one of our practicum or externship opportunities

Designed for post-secondary students enrolled in a course with a practicum component, you will have the opportunity to undertake that placement at the Vancouver Aquarium. Apply your academic learning to real-life situations, hone your skills, and make invaluable professional connections. These programs are only available to post-secondary students who require volunteer hours to complete a degree/diploma.

Practicum Placements

Administrative

Administrative Practicums

Administrative Practicum Placements are for students required to complete practical experience in the field of administration. These placements offer students hands-on experience in an administrative behind-the-scenes setting.

animal care

Fish Husbandry Assistant Practicum

The Fish Research Assistant Practicum Placement is for students required to gain practical experience in the field of marine larval fish rearing and animal husbandry. This placement offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in a behind-

Culinary

Kitchen Assistant Practicum

The Kitchen Assistant Practicum Placement is for students required to gain experience with multipurpose entry level kitchen duties in a fast paced environment. This placement offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in a hands-on kitch

Education

Informal Education Practicum

In this practicum, students are given the opportunity to directly instruct small groups of students following Aquarium lesson plans, develop an education project determined by the supervisor in lieu of creating daily lesson plans and more.

Front of House

Visitor Experience Practicum

In this practicum, students will learn to engage, direct, and inform large groups of visitors within the Aquarium’s Galleries, support front-line staff in various tasks, and assist with behind-the-scenes administrative duties as needed.

Veterinary Externships

animal care

Veterinary Externship

The Veterinary Externship program is open to students who will be in their clinical year(s) of veterinary studies at the time of their stay at the Vancouver Aquarium.

animal care

Veterinary Technologist Externship

The Veterinary Technologist Externship program is open to students who will be in their final year of study in Veterinary Technology from an accredited institution.

Have questions? Email practicum@ocean.org

Interested?

The Vancouver Aquarium is temporarily closed to the public as a preventative measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19 through our community. We have educational programming available online, and our gift shop remains open for online sales. ​​​​Read more.