The RISE scholarship program, generously provided by Battelle, 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.
$5,000 scholarships will be awarded to students from underrepresented communities.
Scholarship applications will be accepted between January 26 and March 15, 2024.
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.
Candidate Selection Process
Applications will be submitted to our Human Resources team and reviewed through an established rubric.
Required Commitment
ANIMAL CARE POSITIONS
You'll work 20 hours a week at the Zoo 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 Zoo employee, 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 Zoo's Human Resources team as well as their department supervisor.
Meet some former recipients of the RISE scholarship and hear about their journeys into pursuing careers in Zoology and Communications!
Opportunities
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Powell, Ohio)
- North America
- Asia Quest
- Elephants
- Australia and the Islands
- Congo Expedition
- Shores
- Wild Encounters: Pinnipeds
- Animal Behavioral Observation
- Animal Enrichment
- Events and Promotions. This internship is exclusive to the RISE Scholarship.
- Security Operations Scholar. This internship is exclusive to the RISE Scholarship.
- Wild Encounters: Outreach. This internship is exclusive to the RISE Scholarship.
- Wild Encounters: Animal Encounters Village. This internship is exclusive to the RISE Scholarship.
The Wilds (Cumberland, OH)
- The Wilds Conservation Education. This internship is exclusive to the RISE Scholarship.
Ready to RISE?
QUESTIONS?
Email: RISEscholarship@columbuszoo.org
