ZooLex Internships

The ZooLex Zoo Design Organization offers internships for both students and professionals. Undergraduates, graduates, and post-graduates from various academic backgrounds (landscape architecture, architecture, marketing, biology, etc.) with an interest in zoo design are encouraged to apply. This program allows individuals to pursue interests in zoo design and to acquire practical work experience in research, resource development for zoo professionals, and publishing.

ZooLex interns are working at the ZooLex office, traveling to zoos for research, and representing ZooLex at conferences and workshops. Research projects are related to zoo design and are developed in cooperation with ZooLex staff depending on the intern's abilities and interests.

Applications for Internships

Applicants have an excellent command of English. They have skills in writing and editing. They have practice in using a word processing program (such as Word), a spreadsheet program (such as Excel) and email. Competence in using an image processing program (such as Photoshop) and drawing (sketching) are advantageous but not required. ZooLex interns are trained in the use of computer and internet applications. They learn how to prepare ZooLex exhibit presentations and other content for the ZooLex website. After several weeks they become very autonomous and have responsibilities in their work. Working hours are flexible, summing up to 35 hours a week. Interns staying longer than two months can take off an average of 2 days (14 hours) each month.

There is no program fee and no salary, and the program does not provide living accomodation or transportation. However, inexpensive housing is available. Living costs in Vienna are about 400 EUR a month for lodging, public transportation and food. Additional expenditures will depend on the intern's research project and interest to participate in conferences and workshops.

Interested candidates for internships should send a cv/resume, a letter of reference, and a letter of intent. For more information about internships, please contact zoolex@zoolex.org.

Carlyn and Monika at the ZooLex office

Profile of an Intern

In June 2002, Carlyn Worstell came to Vienna to participate in our internship program. Worstell received the Dreer Award, a grant of USD 15,000 which allowed her to work with the ZooLex Zoo Design Organization for a full year. The Dreer Award is given to a student in horticulture or landscape architecture at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, once a year to do research and an internship abroad for the purpose of furthering knowledge and experience in these fields. Worstell decided to do research in the field of zoo horticulture. While here, she completed a research project on the use of plants in gorilla exhibits together with Monika Fiby, the project manager of the ZooLex Zoo Design Organization. For this purpose she traveled to zoos keeping gorillas, analyzed their exhibits and interviewed keepers, horticulturists and designers. During her stay with the ZooLex Zoo Design Organization Worstell visited a number of zoos:

• Austria: Salzburg and Schoenbrunn
  
• Germany: Leipzig, Hannover, Hagenbeck, Munich, Augsburg, Duisburg, Cologne
  
• Czech Republic: Prague Zoo
  
• Netherlands: Beekse Bergen, Burgers, Rotterdam, Apenheul
  
• United States of America: Dallas, Fort Worth
• Great Britain: Belfast Zoo, Newquay, Paignton, Bristol, Chester, Blackpool

While in Vienna, Worstell learned to prepare exhibit presentations and news for ZooLex and to upload them to the website. She corresponded with zoo staff and designers to collect information on exhibits. In August 2002 Worstell participated in a design workshop at the International Zoo Educators' Conference in Vienna in a group which was moderated by Monika Fiby. In September 2002 Worstell attended the AZA Annual Conference in Fort Worth representing the ZooLex Zoo Design Organization. Upon return, she helped with preparing a workshop on master planning for zoos. In February 2003 she participated in this workshop, which was moderated by Monika Fiby at Zoo Augsburg. Worstell presented her research project on the use of plants in gorilla exhibits at a conference of the EAZA Plant Group in Jersey. Results of her research project are published here.

Carlyn established various contacts with zoo horticulturists and zoo designers in Europe and the United States which will be beneficial for her future career. After her internship with ZooLex Carlyn started working with the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York.

Carlyn analyzing a gorilla exhibit at Zoo Duisburg