Partners in Conservation
Learn about the Zoo’s financial commitment to holistic conservation efforts in Central Africa.
Amanda Hawk: RISE Scholarship Recipient
What is the RISE Scholarship?
Generously supported by Battelle, the RISE Scholarship Program helps students from all communities gain real-world experience while exploring future careers at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds.
Current, eligible interns may apply for up to $5,000 in scholarship support while building hands-on experience in animal care, conservation, guest services, education, communications, business operations, and other mission-driven fields.
Whether you're looking to grow your resume, expand your skills, or take the next step toward a meaningful career, your journey can start here.
Ready to see this opportunity in action?
Meet Amanda.
It started out like any other social media scroll session, but then, Amanda Hawk noticed something that caught her eye…the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was offering a paid internship opportunity called RISE.
Amanda had always wanted to work in animal care, but also needed income. Unpaid internships were not going to pay the bills, even if they would allow her to gain immeasurable experience. To edge closer to her dream, she had already been working seasonally for three years in grounds maintenance for the Zoo and said, “I knew that full-time zookeeper positions were hard to find, so I wanted to get my foot in the door anyway I could, so that’s where I started and remained until being awarded the RISE paid internship!”
Amanda’s employment shifted from grounds maintenance to becoming an intern in the Zoo’s Asia Quest region. “I took care of birds in the aviary, made meals for animals that followed their customized nutrition plan, cleaned habitats, and assisted zookeepers with daily tasks,” she said. “With Asia Quest being so diverse in species, I was able to gain experience being around many types of animals…including primates, big cats, small bats, red pandas, and more!”
Now equipped with invaluable experience and great connections in the Zoology world, Amanda is moving forward in her career journey and pursuing her dream of working with animals. She will graduate with a degree in Zoology in May.
“My advice? Apply for the scholarship,” said Amanda. “The process is simple, and the scholarship is really helpful for students who want invaluable animal care experience while still being financially supported.”
Empowering People.
Saving Wildlife.
