Internships

The internship position provides professional work experience to an undergraduate or graduate student interested in pursuing a career in business or non-profit administration. The intern will be working together with the Outreach Coordinator and Executive Director. The intern provides valuable assistance and support with the overall operations to complete various administrative projects and day-to-day duties for the organization. One internship is awarded for each of the spring, summer and fall semesters.

Responsibilities

• Answer and route incoming calls.
• Coordinate administrative projects, assist with payroll, process timesheets for staff/interns.
• Maintain donor base.
• Record donor information and gifts.
• Generate appropriate acknowledgements for donations, in kind gifts, etc.
• Return calls on staff’s behalf responding to inquires and special requests.
• Provide assistance with special projects, events, and additional tasks as needed.10-15 hours per week.
• A minimum commitment of 160 hours is required.

Environmental Education Interns gain valuable hands-on training and experience working with wildlife to help acquire jobs and better connect youth with the natural world. Interns are involved in various aspects of the operation of a wildlife center, with their primary responsibility being education and outreach. Interns are provided training and mentorship coupled with the opportunity to develop skills that lead toward successfully teaching lessons on the natural history of wildlife. Interns will work closely with experienced wildlife educators and staff members throughout the internship.

Responsibilities

• Teaching and assisting with Camp WILD Things, a 4-week summer camp program
• Conducting programs for the general public and assisting with special events/exhibits
• Overseeing care and proper handling of resident wildlife ambassadors at the CenterAssisting in the admission and care of wildlife brought to the Center.
• Answering requests for public information and responding to rescue calls on the hotline.
• Helping with other facets of the Center’s day to day operation as needed.

A minimum commitment of 160 hours over an 8-week period is required beginning in mid May. Hours are from 8:00-1:00, Monday through Friday, but may include some Saturdays. Successful interns have received offer for continued employment.

Candidates must provide own transportation. Internships are unpaid. No housing available, but the University of South Carolina is nearby providing affordable accommodations.

The Marketing/Communications Internship provides a tremendous opportunity to be involved in all aspects of marketing and communications for Carolina Wildlife Center. The intern works closely with the Executive Director and the PR/development committees to move the wildlife center to the next level of visibility in the community. This internship offers a hands-on opportunity for an undergraduate or graduate student to gain valuable experience in a non-profit organization, including marketing, public relations, and fund raising. One internship is awarded for each of the spring, summer and fall semesters.

Responsibilities

• Assist with program coordination, event planning, and general administrative tasks.
• Assist in preparing appropriate marketing and outreach materials.
• Prepare bi-weekly newsletter for center staff and volunteers.
• Assist in marketing CWC to local businesses and community groups.
• Attend and assist in the execution of special events and other special projects as needed.
• Assist in contacting press, writing stories and assembling media packets.
• 10-15 hours per week.
• A minimum commitment of 160 hours is required.

Would you like to learn to care for a variety of wildlife and be an integral part in returning them back into the wild? Carolina Wildlife Center’s interns become a member of the working staff and participate in all aspects of the rehabilitation process, from admission to supportive care to release. Wildlife Rehabilitation Interns acquire actual “hands-on” experience working with wildlife and learn much about the natural history and care of native species. Interns acquire skills that better prepare them for a career working with animals and wildlife conservation.

Responsibilities

• Preparing food/diets for orphaned and recovering birds, mammals, and reptiles.
• Administering medications and fluids.
• Safe handling and restraint of wildlife while treatments are performed.
• Providing offsite care for orphaned mammals as needed.
• Admitting incoming patients and performing initial examination on animals.
• Cleaning and watering of kennels, cages, and aviaries.
• Going out on animal rescues and releases.
• The satisfaction of saving hundreds of wild lives.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

• May – August
• 20-30 hours per week
• A minimum commitment of 240 hours is required during the summer.

FALL & SPRING INTERNSHIPS

• 10-15 hours per week
• A minimum commitment of 160 hours is required during the fall or spring semester.

Hours include evenings and weekends. Successful past interns have received offer for continued employment. Candidates must provide own transportation.

Internships are unpaid. No housing available, but the University of South Carolina is nearby providing affordable accommodations.

Carolina Wildlife Center offers a limited number of PT work-study positions in spring, summer and fall semesters for eligible students at the University of South Carolina. At this time, only University of South Carolina students are eligible for federal Work-Study positions at Carolina Wildlife Center.

Steps to Applying for Work-Study at Carolina Wildlife Center:

1. Qualify: Contact USC’s Financial Aid Office to determine if you qualify for the FWS program.
2. Apply: Upon receiving your award amount, forward a copy of your resume to info@carolinawildlife.org or to the address below:Carolina Wildlife Center
   5551 Bush River Road
   Columbia, SC 29212
   Attn: Executive Director
3. Interview: Upon receipt of your application, you will be contacted as to whether a work-study position is still available. If so, an interview will be arranged to tour the center and to learn in more detail about your skills and interests. Please bring a copy of your schedule with you at this time.
4. Paperwork: Should you be offered a position, you will need to notify the Financial Aid office of your employment and provide CWC with a Payroll form that can also be obtained the office. For complete information about USC’s Federal Work-Study program, visit the College of Financial Aid & Scholarships.