About the Internship
The Marketing Department at the North Carolina Zoo is seeking a Marketing Intern who is focused in community engagement to join our team. This internship provides hands-on experience in outreach and marketing, offering exposure to real-world projects and professional mentorship. The intern will support efforts to promote the Zoo as an inclusive destination for all guests while fostering connections between communities, wildlife, and wild places.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop an understanding of the Zoo’s mission, educational programs, and guest experiences. Identify opportunities to expand engagement with underrepresented communities.
- Conduct research on local and regional communities (within a 60-90-minute drive) to identify effective marketing and outreach strategies for underrepresented communities.
- Collaborate with Zoo photographers and designers to ensure diverse representation in branding and marketing materials, including coordinating for photo sessions outreach materials.
- Assist with marketing campaigns, including content development, social media strategy, and video production in partnership with media vendors.
- Gather insights on guest interests, preferred messaging, and key factors that influence attendance from target communities currently underrepresented at the Zoo. Work with the Marketing and Graphics teams to develop strategic ad placements.
- Coordinate with external partners such as the Heart of North Carolina, Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Zoo Society, Visit NC, and others to expand the Zoo’s reach within diverse communities.
- Analyze marketing data, test content with Zoo guests for feedback, and assess the effectiveness of various outreach initiatives.
Qualifications & Skills
- Currently enrolled undergraduate juniors or seniors, or recently graduated undergraduates (within one year) from a relevant field of study (e.g., Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business, etc.)
- Interest in community engagement and audience development.
- Familiarity with digital marketing, social media strategy, and content creation.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for creating marketing content and outreach materials.
- Some experience with graphic design, photography, or video editing
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with various teams.
- Detail-oriented with effective organizational and time management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and social media platforms (knowledge of tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or video editing software is a plus).
- Enthusiasm for the Zoo’s mission and a passion for connecting diverse communities with nature and wildlife.
Schedule and Additional Information
Summer Internship
- 10 Week Full-time Internship:
- This internship is 10 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week), totaling 400 hours
- Must be available to work a full-time schedule, which may include weekends and holidays
- Additional details about funding for stipends and housing will be available on January 1, 2026
2026 summer internships will occur May 25 to August 7. Start dates will be determined after acceptance into the program but interns can expect to start during the week of May 25.
Ready to Apply?
Don’t miss your chance to be part of an exciting, hands-on internship at the North Carolina Zoo! Gain experience, make connections, and take the next step toward a rewarding career in the Zoo and conservation field.
Apply Now
Summer 2026 internship applications will be open January 1 and will close March 1.
