Rise Logo, showing a stack of three upward arrow heads in blocks of red, yellow and dark green with simple outlines

The RISE scholarship program provides internship experiences, with focuses from business to biology, for students 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. 


What Does RISE Stand For?

Respect. By respecting one another’s differences, we can recruit and retain talent from diverse backgrounds and provide a more fulfilling experience for our guests.

Include. Promoting inclusion in the workplace promotes a sense of belonging and an enriched employment and thus visitors/patrons experience.

Succeed. Promoting diversity, equity and inclusion ensures that everyone is welcome and encouraged to be their true self at work. When employees are engaged, the individual and the organization succeeds.

Educate. Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion and Belonging is a continuous journey and lifelong education. Through open conversations, collaboration and experiences, we demonstrate personal and professional growth.


Selection Process

Applications will be submitted to our Human Resources team and reviewed by the Board of Directors DEIAB Committee using a scoring rubric.


Required Commitment  

Animal Care POSITIONS

You'll work 20 hours a week at The Wilds for 12-16 weeks during the season. Scholarship winners that work in these dedicated intern positions receive a $5,000 scholarship to offset pay and transportation during their internship.

Non-Animal Care Positions

You'll work 240 hours. These scholarship recipients will be hired as a seasonal employee of The Wilds, with the employment funds earmarked from a special scholarship fund ($5,000 cap per student.)

Final Paper: 

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 The Wilds' Human Resources team as well as their department supervisor.


Scholarship Positions

$5,000 scholarships will be awarded to students from underrepresented communities for the following positions. The summer 2023 application deadline is April 15, 2023!

Apply Now


The Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio

Ecology Opportunities

The Ecology Animal Care Intern will assign Ecology Technicians with hellbender and American burying beetle care and husbandry. For a complete job description, click on the link below.

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Social Media Opportunities

The Social Media and Outreach Intern will get an inside look at each department and learn how The Wilds runs as a whole while gaining experience with creating stories and content. For a complete job description, click on the link below.

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Conservation Medicine Opportunities

The Conservation Medicine Veterinary Technician Extern assists with medical program at the veterinary hospital to ensure excellent animal health services at The Wilds. For a complete job description, click on the link below.

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Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, Ohio

Construction Management Opportunities

Assist in creating the outline, collecting and documenting project management best practices for CZA properties. For a complete job description, please click on the link below.

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Planning & Design Opportunities

Gain experience with exhibit design which include  theming, master planning and project management of operating and capital projects.

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Exhibit Interactive Opportunities

Maintains the interactive, electronic, and mechanical interpretive exhibit components. For a complete job description, please click on the link below.

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Operations Auditing Opportunities

Gain experience with developing and overseeing an audit committee of seasonal team. For a complete job description, please click on the link below.

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Animal Care Opportunities

The goal of this internship is to provide a basic understanding of general husbandry of the animals located in different parts of the Zoo. For a complete job description of internships in the various animal care areas, please click on the link below.

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