Marketing and Public Relations Internships
The Marketing Department drives Zoo attendance through advertising, public relations, special events, community outreach, and more. We also handle Zoo rentals and private events.
Our interns will specialize in one area, but will receive exposure to all of the department's functions and are expected to assist other areas as needed.
Application Procedure and Requirements
Students who wish to apply should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and a letter of recommendation. The cover letter should include the following:
- Why you are interested in an internship at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
- What you would like to gain from an internship.
- What intern opportunities interest you.
To qualify for this internship, you must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and demonstrate interest in your chosen field of internship, the ability to work as part of a team, and strong communication skills. You must be able to do physical work.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is open seven days per week. Your internship may require you to work weekends, weekdays, evenings, and holidays. Currently the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has no available housing or stipend funding for program participants.
All requirements of the application should be sent as a packet. Incomplete applications will not be considered. You will receive acknowledgement of receipt of those materials. Only those applicants whose experience and background closely matches the Zoo's needs will be contacted.
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible since there are a limited number of positions available.
Criminal background checks will be processed on all applicants considered for an internship/externship prior to start date.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Public Relations and Communications (Fall 2011)
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is seeking a tech-savvy and detail-oriented individual for our Communications Internship. Duties include maintaining and updating the website, posting and responding to blogs, writing and proofreading press releases, assisting during media visits to the zoo, as well as taking and editing photographs. The intern will also assist in tracking and analyzing the zoo’s media efforts.
Candidates must be willing to devote a minimum of 24 hours a week to the internship.
Please submit cover letter and resume to web at pittsburghzoo dot org. Include “Public Relations and Communications Internship” in the subject heading. Please include your specific availability: start date, end date, and the hours that you are available to work each day. If you plan to intern for credit at your college or university, please send internship requirements and advisor contact information.
Video Production / AV (Fall 2011)
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is looking for a video intern to join our marketing department this summer. As our intern, you will video record happenings around the zoo including animal enrichment, veterinary procedures, special events, behind-the-scenes animal activities, education sessions, and more.
You will help us promote the zoo on Facebook, YouTube, and other multimedia channels, as well as provide footage for local and national television news broadcasts.
Requirements:
- Knowledge of HD video recording, editing, and archiving. We mostly shoot on a Sony NXCAM and edit in Adobe Premiere Pro CS5
- Able to represent the zoo in a positive fashion with business partners and the general public
- Able to work extended days and hours when needed
- Able to work outdoors in the summer for extended periods
- Able to work a flexible schedule, with some nights and weekends
If you have links to video projects you have completed, please send them along. Candidates must be willing to devote a minimum of 24 hours per week.
Please submit cover letter and resume (must have link to demo clips) to web at pittsburghzoo dot org. Include “Production/AV Internship” in the subject heading. Please include your specific availability: start date, end date, and the hours that you are available to work each day. If you plan to intern for credit at your college or university, please send internship requirements and advisor contact information.
Special Events (Fall 2011)
Internship job responsibilities include coordinating the logistics and assisting in the implementation of established large-scale events at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Duties include:
- Securing entertainment and community organizations for events
- Developing a professional relationship with event sponsors
- Determining on-site promotional needs for events
- Collaborating with other zoo departments to execute events
- Attending and contributing to on-site and off-site Special Events meetings
- Researching local and national events
- Creating games, crafts, and exciting activities for events
The intern MUST be present and see through completion of any special events that he/she has been responsible for implementing; this includes work on weekdays AND weekends. Candidates must be willing to devote a minimum of 24 hours a week.
Please submit cover letter and resume to cabdulovic@pittsburghzoo.org. Include “Special Events Internship” in the subject heading. Please include your specific availability: start date, end date, and the hours that you are available to work each day. If you plan to intern for credit at your college or university, please send internship requirements and advisor contact information.
Promotions and Research (Summer 2012)
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is looking for two outgoing and enthusiastic individuals for our Promotions and Research Summer Internships. Duties include coordinating visitors and keepers during “Meet the Expert” sessions held daily at the Zoo. In addition, interns will research leads for promotional events, respond to clients and vendors, assure working equipment for information sessions, and assist in other marketing efforts.
This position requires extreme comfort with public speaking and willingness to work both in the office and around the zoo. Interns must be able to represent the zoo professionally while having fun. Candidates must be willing to devote a minimum of 15 hours a week.
Please submit cover letter and resume to cabdulovic@pittsburghzoo.org. Include “Promotions and Research Internship” in the subject heading. Please include your specific availability: start date, end date, and the hours that you are available to work each day. If you plan to intern for credit at your college or university, please send internship requirements and advisor contact information.